Pelicans

Long lazy line of white pelicans
drifting inches above the
mill pond
silence.

Where do they find lift
to soar in this stillness?

Twelve of twenty four
land with great wing stretches
and splashes
while the others circle and come back
then they splash down too.

Moving slowly in circles
great beaks tucked down
on their chests like
shy priestesses

And now the setting sun beckons them home
from the water
with down stroke
of black tipped white wings
they're off.