The Sad and Lonely Merganser

On a cool and crisp winter's day,
In the lake at the foot of the hills,
Paddled a lonely lady Merganser,
With a very broken will.

Round and round she paddled,
No real place to be.
She knew it was her breeding time,
And moved up from the sea.

Her natural impulse was so strong,
She'd felt he was so near.
That all changed here at the lake,
His presence disappeared.

Round and round she circled,
Searching through the reeds.
She would not rest; could not cease,
She circled and called her need.

She could not understand it,
She knew this place was right.
Still she could not find him,
There was no hope in sight.

The lover she was seeking,
Was deep within the sea.
He was one of the lesser gods,
He could not make her see.

Her memories were not of this life,
But of her one with him.
So strong was the love she'd had,
She was rebirthed knowing him.

And for this very reason,
She felt him in the sea.
But never could he be where,
Her instinct bid her breed.

She swam a final circle,
And came up to the edge,
She called to him as she stepped out,
Tucked her head neath her wing, and wept.