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# Wise Heron
- URL: https://www.hawkword.com/poetry/wise-heron/
- Published: 2024-03-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-03-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: I asked a graceful heron: would you rather that death came in midflight, out of the blue? Before the years have had their chance to gather -- each sunrise is as fresh as morning dew, a jumping frog still sends a thril...
- Author: A. Gee
- Tags: Poetry, Sonnet, Allpoetry Import, #Import 2026-04-25 19:56

I asked a graceful heron: would you rather  
that death came in midflight, out of the blue?  
Before the years have had their chance to gather --  
each sunrise is as fresh as morning dew,  
a jumping frog still sends a thrill of pleasure,  
and standing on one leg maintains its charm;  
your pointy beak adept at finding treasure  
and mighty wings that keep you out of harm  
with but a single flap of quill and feather?  
Or is old age a better way to die,  
your skin an older, thinner brand of leather,  
the wings no longer strong enough to fly?  
So wise, the heron, but he wouldn't say.  
Just nodded a goodbye. Then flew away.