reflecting settled waters

it's fun to myth-bust in the poetry department; enjoyable even to show the middle school students that not all great poetry is written by dead white guys.  consider the following verse by my friend anne who graciously granted permission to publish her poems on wordnest.  anne, for instance, is very much alive, a woman, and has a lot of soul (for a caucasian)...

(prompt from at blackwater pond by mary oliver)
reflecting settled waters
the tossed waters have settled
each breath calm
i float aimlessly
unfolding fingers
fanned resisting urge
to propel, to direct, to control.
heron, bold-blue in shadow
watches unconcerned
"no this one will not dive for my prey."
and as if affirming my being,
opens, closes black eyes,
open again
reflecting settled waters.

by anne richardson