LATE DUCKLINGS
On pretty lake Cameron, by the town of Fenelan Falls
We heard a mother duck quark and many duckling calls,
A sight I had not seen in late August ever before,
Newly hatched ducklings, maybe eight or even more.
It was such a pretty sight to see them all there,
Swimming around in the water without a single care.
But a sadness came over me, for they were so small,
Will they be big and strong enough by the end of fall
To fly far south or survive the winter’s cold and snow?
Or will they just perish as cruel icy winds do blow?
If we have an Indian Summer they may mature
And be strong enough a long hard flight to endure,
But if Mother Nature sends some early frosts our way,
Those late hatched ducklings may too soon pass away.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 21 August 2004