An ancient Great Blue Heron
knuckles across the lake
to wage a fish war
against the egret
We’ve designed a fighter
jet after him, the way
his wings are set for landing,
I just don’t know which one,
F-something or some
other; I’m not versed
in the jargon of war,
but I don’t have to fish
and hunt to live.
I’ll buy tilapia at the market
letting the fat ones in our lake
get careless and lazy
sacrificing their children
to the wagers of war
© Jilly’s All Rights Reserved
Jilly's 
Knuckles is good
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah. They are bullies in the world of birds, so it seemed appropriate.
LikeLike
I”m impressed that you know the difference between a great white heron and an egret.
And yes, the thoughts about war. . .it makes me think of “The Post” that we finally got around to seeing last night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a 3rd generation birder and living on a lake in Florida is bird-heaven. Not much of a movie-goer, so I rely on your reviews. Is “The Post” a worthy offering?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it was a good movie–not a great movie–but certainly well-worth watching. We missed it in the theater, and I’m sure it was better seeing it there because we were distracted by a thunder storm and other things going on at home. But freedom of the press and all that–very timely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May need to look into it. Sounds like there could be some clips worth using in the classroom 🙂 Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knuckles was good, but so was “but I don’t have to fish and hunt to live.” Late to this, but excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The metaphor in your work is incredible and the analogy of fish waging war and fighting for survival is awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoy the way you worked the two (potential) meanings of wage/wager into your poem — simultaneously, I think! And the line where you don’t rely on hunting/fishing is an awesome pivot… stops the reader dead in the air… er water. Excellent, Jilly!
LikeLike