Art of Poetry’s Kelly DeMaegd reads her poem in front of the Wink Gaines photograph that inspired her work at the event on December 12, 2016. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford.
Kelly DeMaegd
Heron
after “Great Blue Heron Profile” by Wink Gaines
Assessing damage after a storm
I notice her at swollen river,
one pier over, dressed in shadow
blue, eyes, marble gems.
Her elegant legs lightly stride
weathered planks, stopping
at each moored boat. Stretching
to full height, then stooping low,
she studies barnacled bows,
canvas covers, south-facing prows
in perfect mockery
of my routine. Flapping slowly,
she surface skims, rises,
boasting feather-glint of silver,
writhing trout tightly taloned
on her twilight drift and swoop
to rookery, a brood to tend.
All I manage to mimic
is her hunched shoulders,
longing for flight
to a place I’ve never been.
Art of Poetry at the Hickory Museum of Art 
Exhibiting the sculpture with the poem is delightful. A wonderful poem, Kelly! Miss you.
How I love that last stanza!
Doug
Every word chosen perfectly, Kelly…a beautiful poem.
Thank you, Patricia!
Amazing & beautiful Kelly !!!!!! Makes me feel so unnecessary…. Never had taken time to read anything like that. My little mind just reads words to songs etc. 😊 👏 👍
Thank you for your kind comments! A poem is a song and songs are your expertise! You ROCK when it comes to music!
Kelly, beautifully done! Had the profile not been on the wall, your poem still provoked the image of a heron. Loved it.
Thanks, Heidi!