At Water's Edge

by Taylor Graham

the embryonic stage of a creature

I’ve never seen before, sleek and limbless,

dark as if conceived in a blackout.

 

Beyond, oblivious square-dance

of water insects on the still surface.

August afternoon. Overhead,

 

a republic of jays in noisy caucus.

 

But this creature – as if cloaked,

about to shed a shadow-habit, burka

of disguise.

 

The sun is lowering

as if on some malignancy in water,

mutation of air.

 

Twilight of changes coming.