Geese Flew Into The Wind Poem by Deanna Samuels

Whitby Harbor, Ontario

Along the dockside this afternoon
not far from the lighthouse,
the weather changed with great suddenness.
From a sparse white clouded sky,
dark clouds started to appear,
merging quickly together
hastily forming a blackening sky.

Immediately, the bay waters became
a quick moving choppy surface
splashing against the harbor walls
while the now fairly fierce wind blew
through the nearby trees blowing
their newly fresh green leaved branches
swaying boldly from side to side.

Canadian Geese and Mallard Ducks
gathered on a sheltered patch of grass,
stretching wings and long graceful necks.
It was as though they knew,
knew that this sudden gale would blow over,
was not unusual, had seen it all before.

The winds became more powerful
and waves choppier, rising and falling
splashing heavily against the dockside,
unrestrained rain started lashing down,
emptying out those dark heavy clouds.

Strangely, for some unknown reason,
the Canadian geese became restless,
flapping about in their limited space,
disturbing the more peaceful Mallards
sitting quietly on their allotted patch.

Suddenly, in one single movement,
dozens of geese rose into the air
flew en masse into the wind
and quickly formed a giant Vee
rising higher and higher
veering towards the far horizon.

Written at Courtice, Ontario - 17th May 2025