Lunching with Loons

Noah forgot his lunch today.
I took it to school too late.
Rather than hurry home again,
I took his lunch to the lake.

There I sat inside the car,
listening as vehicles sped by.
But every now -
and again -
I'd hear a mysterious loon cry.

That mournful, haunting
soulful sound echoed
across the water -
between the honks of
Canada geese,
song-bird chirps
and cheeps of chipmunks.

I closed my eyes,
listening to the loon,
and when I opened them I saw -
the mystic bird of black and white -
floating in front of me.

We gazed -
one upon the other -
mere moments and then he dove,
under the water,
gone from view,
appearing and diving thrice more.

Then ripples
and shadows
of the lake
hid him along
the northern shore.

Peanut-buttered
and jellied bread,
pudding in a cup,
a cheese stick
and a juice pouch
never satisfied so much.