The White Geese

Four of them, sterling white,

Sporting orange beaks, flashing blue eyes,

Parading on their yellow feet—

They appeared on the pond’s shore--

A splendid surprise. 

Quick the camera caught them still.

Quick their movements ambled forth.

Caught they were in my Asian box.

Caught indeed and swelled my heart.

Now they are both in my mind and machine,

Now they rest and move at once,

Blurring my remembrance of yesterday, and

The splendid surprise of the white geese.

 --February 5, 2013