The loudest goose yelled—
I thought we were flying south
where no lakes are filled
with icy cold water.
This is not acceptable!
I’m not getting in.
The lead goose replied sternly—
You must remember
we are geese from Canada.
This is Virginia
which is quite obviously
south of Canada.
Close your eyes, dive in
and stop your honking complaints!
It won’t be that bad
after you get used to it.
The water is warmer here.
After the scolding,
all of the geese jumped in
without another word
and they swam quietly until
the same complaining goose said—
Wait, this can’t be right.
I’m in a honking panic!
What if my legs freeze?
What if I can’t feel my feet?
I won’t be able to swim
and I might drift away
never to be found again
and….and….and…..
it will be all your fault
for bringing me here!
The lead goose remained quiet.
It seems in each group
there is always one or more
with ruffled feathers
and a honking attitude! ~ms
-
COPYRIGHT
-
© Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/Stories with No Books, 2012-2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/ Stories with No Books with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. NO REBLOGGING WITHOUT PERMISSION.
-
Recent Posts
- Shifting Pronouns
- Friendly Garden Spider
- Cardinals at the Dog Water Bowl Bird Bath
- Thoughts of a Natural Born Tree-Hugger
- Rising from the Dead in Spring
- Cat Clinging to the Edge of Normal
- Christmas Lion 2020
- Monarch Butterfly Stops in San Antonio Mid-November
- Entomology Summer Camp Hands-On Experience
- Siamese Cat Shelter-in-Place Guidelines
- Covid-19 Life in a Darkening World
- Strong Civil War Connection to Fredericksburg
- The Little Eyes of Texas
- Good Friends and Auld Lang Syne
- Pulte New Home Nightmare
- Labrador Retriever Riding in Style
- Foster Kitten’s Grateful Prayer
- On the Path of Wind and Water
Blog Stats
- 85,026 hits
Top Posts & Pages
Archives
-
Join 2,252 other subscribers
Links
Before I Forget 
Lovely story!
LikeLike
I forgot to tell you….I LOVE honking attitudes!!!
LikeLike
Hahaha….thank you.
Over the years, I am sure we have all had the opportunity to be or meet a honker at least once or twice (or more).
That’s what made it kind of fun to write. 🙂
LikeLike
Quite a lot of these Canadians living in Virginia! But it’s all right, and when the water ices over, they’ll have every reason to honk. 🙂
LikeLike
There were a couple hundred geese hanging out in Fawn Lake, and they were pretty noisy. If I was a Canada goose and I was taking the time to fly south, I think I would fly ja little bit further and hang out in warm, sunny Florida for the winter! But wait…ummm….in Florida, there are alligators in the water. That might be a lot worse than dealing with icy water.
LikeLike
Thanks for your comments and linking to my blog. I love your poems and photos. They are both humorous and inspiring. Keep writing!
LikeLike
Thank you. Your info on the Canada goose made me smile.
LikeLike
very beautiful pictures
LikeLike
Quite a sound and sight, it was!
LikeLike
Wow…. Lovely Honking Attitude ❤ Nice Poem 😀
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
I like geese…can’t you tell?—Jonathan
LikeLike
I posted my reply in the wrong place, so I don’t know if you saw it.
Here ’tis again (in the right position). 🙂
People who live around this lake have a love/hate relationship with the geese. All agree that the geese are beautiful when they are swimming in the lake or flying in formation through the sky. But when they gather in a gaggle in people’s yards, honking loudly and pooping everywhere….well ummm….the relationship between man and goose gets a little strained.
LikeLike
Very good, keep the mind working!
LikeLike
Thanks!
That’s what I am trying to do…
Before I Forget….
LikeLike
wow…nice post..thanks for sharing and for visiting my post dear 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Kavita!
LikeLike
Thanks for the amusing parable. 😀
LikeLike
Thank you. Sometimes I am like the honking goose…worrying about everything. Which I know does no good at all. And yet, I worry. 😉
LikeLike
I enjoyed this post Mary – I too observe and listen to those geese and they often end up as subjects in my posts. I love their attitude and I once took bread to the park where I walk – the geese finished off that bag of crumbed-up bread and then a second flock descended and marched over to me for THEIR bread. I had no more and they charged after me. I disappeared into a group of women walkers – whew!
LikeLike
Yes…it is rather scary and funny experience at the same time.
They will come after you, no doubt about it!!
Better have on good running shoes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they show you no mercy and I was chased by a huge male Mute Swan too. I was only taking pictures of him and (likely) his mate. He came close to the shoreline and was snorting a little as he paddled in the water – he had been diving so I assumed it was cold and he had water in his nose. Next thing I knew he stomped onto land and started after me … I was imaging where I could go and had the good sense to toss out some peanuts which I always have on hand and he stopped to eat them – who knew. You can see him eating them near the end of this post: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/03/04/brr-burrs-and-birds/
LikeLike