September Culling
Photo by Charles Jackson on Unsplash
Tuesday, August 30
The neighbor knocks. Doffs his cap,
He wants to let the Vacationers know the Game Warden will show up.
Culling of the Geese to happen later in the week.
We watch—and count—the 36-40 geese pull at grass between houses and sound.
They strut. Hiss. One runs at another to protect territory
They amuse us with their human-like tendencies.
Some in charge. Some protective. Some want to be part of the flock,
Yet not accepted by the Ones In Charge. So they graze at the edges,
Hoping to be let in. You know when you’re in and when you’re out.
Power is power. Power likes power.
Wednesday, August 31
A group of men gather in neighbor’s yard.
Talk. Plan. Prepare to cull.
Thursday, September 1
First day of goose hunting season
I awaken and listen.
The only sounds are insistent, almost frantic.
Crows, seagulls, and a bird
I have never heard before.
Where did she come from? Who is she?
I do not speak their language, but in my bones I know it.
“Go! Hurry! If you don’t leave today, it will be too late!”
I do not know if any heed their calls.
Friday morning, September 2
At 6:00, the sounds of guns wake me and I lie there,
Still. Listening.
The shots ring out and echo across the still sound.
One long round of volleys.
Quiet. After a while, another round.
For over an hour, uneasy quiet between rapid volleys of gunfire.
The decoys, unperturbed, stand lifeless on the edge of the water.
They pretend to pick at the grass that grown men creep through,
Moving from place to place.
Friday afternoon, September 2
Geese gone.
Brilliant September sun
Blue sky
Light breeze ruffles the waters of the sound.
A few seagulls call.
A few crows caw loudly.
An eerie silence hovers over grass and water.
Saturday morning, September 3
Guns gone
I awake and listen.
Geese calling?
I get up to look out of the window.
Over the still sound,
Six geese call to each other,
Slowly move into flying formation,
Circle the sound once as if to say farewell,
Then head north into the safety of
Some Canadian September sky.
(c) Sheila N. McJilton
September 3, 2022