The Geese of December

The Geese of December

Ten O’clock, One, 

Four- Fifteen 

Geese 

and then more 

quarreling 

in the night and into dawn

on the swooning dark lake 

hundreds 

floating, splashing in all directions

all over

in the unexacting warm air.

Where are they to go,

what is the front runner thinking?

There should be ice,

there should be snow drifts, 

after-all 

this is Wisconsin in December.

They are landing, 

swimming in circles,

and on shore the robin

is under a bush, 

hopping and hungry,

the garden is mush, the grass, 

an August green 

this December 20th.

Evergreens are hanging

in the windows lit 

with white electric candles.

I’m up. 

Who can sleep?

The next moment tulips will sprout, 

black water will be up 

to our window sills.

Oh, glorious birds

in the night like honking sirens.

We should be 

making plans to fly somewhere safe.