Someone had dumped five ducks (they’re Khaki Campbell)
into the catfish pond in Elizabeth Park
four years ago. Furtively in the dark?
Or in full daylight? Did that person gamble
about the chance these flightless birds would make it
out here where hungry hawks are on the lookout
for easy prey? Some predator since took out
two of the five. A pattern. None can break it.

All life is food. We know what lies in store.
Mingling with the mallards, they tease and chase them.
Yet in the end, the raptors will erase them
till only mallards dabble, as before. 
Till then, through an un-severable tether,
these three will swim and feed and dream together.