Master Ballerinas

by Scott McVay

Never have I seen a ballet
as elegant or precise as
one choreographed by
big fish-eating bats
Nochtilo Leporinus
over the river
caught in lights
making wondrous sweeps and swoops
turns and glides
up and down and around
under a canopy of stars
out heel and toe with
caiman gliding into the river
or already there
star-ing
waiting
birds settled for the night
kingfisher, scarlet ibis,
heron of every bill
and feather
little bats Rhynchonyctera
and Abiventris abound
yet the master ballerinas
are the big fish-eatingbats
with extended feet
a great scoop of oiled
webbing for holding
surprised wriggling fish.
what joy what fascination
what bugs about the neck
and eyes and ankles.
 
Print this Page
Last Updated: Friday, 07 November 2008