Terri McCord

The heron seems

an anomaly

but perfect

its profile forms a gray question
mark and its legs indent water.

My collie doesn’t even

flinch, though the geese

cause a crawl

up her neck.

Maybe I imagine.

Dusk can play tricks

or the eye can fill
in what it wants           to see.

The dog quickens forward

at what I think

must be a field rabbit,

then she quiets.

We turn, reposed,
round another bend.

—

McCord has taught art and writing to various ages and has worked in public relations, arts administration, and as a bookseller. She loves her collie mix.