The Clapper Rail |
| I know you're out there! Somewhere! |
|
| Working your way along under the graceful arches of red mangrove roots; |
| or maybe threading your way through the black mangrove's closely spaced roots |
| that ascend like stalagmites from the rich salt marsh floor - |
| you are searching for another bite of breakfast. |
|
| Many times I have followed the edge of this salt marsh. |
| Today for over an hour. |
| Slowly - silently - listening - watching - waiting for your appearance. |
|
| And then! |
| A brief flash, almost like an apparition, floats past a small break in the thick vegetation. |
| I make a quick but slight adjustment to my position and crouch; |
| hoping that you will reappear and allow me to save a memory of our encounter. |
|
| I wait for several minutes without moving or making a sound. |
| Then you scamper up from behind a clump of roots into view! |
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