The shallow, dark water of the Bay
is bedecked with lily pads.
Their fragrant, full blossoms
and the thick, green foliage
float freely in the wetland.

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Stems reach deep below
rooting in the muddy depths,
holding fast and strong.
Balanced on old wooden stumps
Cormorants dry their wings.

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Mallards, no longer shy,
swim and feed,
finding their way gracefully
through the thick tangle.
Habitat is rich for all who come.

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Beavers swim here too.
They've built a lodge of sticks,
dragged from the shoreline's edge,
and piled them high
to make their home.

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Frogs and turtles sun themselves
on old logs that float beside the shore.
Herons stand like graceful statues,
then fly away making
gawking, awkward sounds.

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Traffic roars incessantly and 
spews it's toxic fumes.
Piers pierce the lilied water.
The Colossal, Concrete Highway
casts its shadow on all below

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                                                          Written by Joan Stewart
                                                          Portage Bay Resident
                                                          October 5, 2011

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