How good and fine it would have been, to be out upon the wild loon swells
And watch the sea-eagles coming in;
Or to climb, body lashed by salt sea spray, up
Through the face-lashing spray of pine,
To view through a rift the goshawk’s nest, and, hunched over all
Those downy forms, that fierce red eye;
Or to see the glint in the vixen’s eyes, pin-hard and bright,
Gemstone green of the finest water,
As she weaves her way through the marsh verdure,
Hard-won duck champed tight and secure:
Essential image both guide and lure.
—Craig Payne
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