with the help of a heron

by Katy Z. Allen

Banking in for a landing 

in the shallow inlet water 

Standing with head scrunched down,

long skinny legs hidden in the pond 

Listening with no movement, silent,

sturdy wings folded tightly in place 

Jabbing swiftly into murky water 

as a silvery fish flits by

Slurping down in one piece 

the unsuspecting prey 

Spreading wings wide

ever graceful in takeoff 

Soaring over shimmering water 

legs and neck outstretched

Disappearing between the trees 

on it’s way toward the river 

Leaving behind a watchful heart

touched and opened and healed

for the moment 

Katy Z. Allen is a lover of the more-than-human world, poet, retired rabbi of an outdoor congregation, former healthcare chaplain, co-founder of a Jewish climate organization, and eco-chaplain. She has been writing in one context or another all her life. Her poetry has appeared in online publications and in the 2025 Art on the Trails: Number 9 poetry and art book. Her poetic book, A Tree of Life: A Story in Word, Image, and Text was published by Strong Voices Publishing. Her work can be found online at www.katyzallen.com.