Once I saw two killdeer play, In the brightness of a newborn day.
When first we left them at water's edge, To give the freedom their wildness begged.
Two dainty, leggy, painted birds, So lovely as to defy all words.
They leaped and skittered here and there, And sailed briefly on the air.
They darted at the water's flow, Like children playing in the snow.
They waded, tested, pecked about; I half expected them to shout.
From beyond the stream we could see, Their ecstasy at being free
Was it a thank-you for their second chance;
This beautiful, carefree Killdeer Dance?
                             Iris Cappleman, 1995