In an October morning
On a beautiful lake
Rowing in a boat
I saw an osprey nest
Closer and closer
I was drawing near
Angrier and angrier
The bird was sending fear
Squawking, shrieking, always watching
Hovering, circling, never ending
For a moment
Our eyes met
“Leave me alone”
The osprey seemed to say
“All right, all right”
In my mind I said,
“Osprey, you can have your way.”

--  By Joseph Le-en Chiu
Age 9, Grade 3,
Lower Eastern Shore Trib