by Julia Griffin

For Mary

“A Stork, a Fisherman and Their Unlikely Bond Enchant Turkey
Thirteen years ago, a stork landed on a fisherman’s boat looking for food. He has come back
every year since, drawing national attention. … “Nature doesn’t have much space for emotions,”
[a Turkish ornithologist] said. “For the stork, it is a matter of easy food. …”
“It is just to love an animal,” said [the fisherman]. “They are God’s creatures.”
—The New York Times

Their bond, originally fish,
Has changed and deepened, some believe,
Though experts scoff that this is wish-
Ful thinking. Do we self-deceive

In thinking that a man and stork,
Although so different in physique,
Might share a link immune to fork,
And insusceptible to beak?

For thirteen years, much written of,
These two have trysted. Something grows
Between them, which the man calls “love.”
The stork says nothing. But he knows.