Isreal

The white bird pierces the small fish
Through the side
With its sharp beak
As a bullet through the ribs of a child

These birds were once endangered
And shipped here to the lake
Where fish used to bask in the clear shallows
Long yellow legs wade through the water

They have thrived, the birds, the tall, white birds
Even to the murky, unwanted regions
Where small fish cower
Amid rusting cans and pungent slime

Sometimes, new, clean habitat's created
To aid the birds' expanding population
A pretty sanctuary
A pale blue star, rising.