my eyes were dazzled by the late afternoon light today

as i drove home

along the river

and spotted heron, or, well,wide wings.

it was very large, but no trailing long legs, and

well, a different kind of

presence.

it was large large

and white bounced off the dark body

but no, it was a white head.

bald eagle.

bald eagle!

before i could pull over

gone, gone into the blue-white wildness.

down the road,

the amish have made corn ladies

everywhere

they stand starkly on the land

next to the river

an abandoned place

shadow played there.

and then deep fields

with the big snow clouds

that have been causing a little trouble hereabouts.