The water levels were still down this morning
even after some weekend rain.
On first glance the lake looks empty.
Something looks like a bird hunched
on the other side—white with dark wings—
as well as da ark clump near the water’s centre—
both of which are doing their best
dead-log impersonations.
I spot the movement of two janjarak
black-winged stilts near the jetty
and begin walking that way.
No swamp hens to be seen or heard.

On the way the black clump begins to move—
maali the swan, uncoiling its neck with red beak tip,
then recoiling it back again.

I look over towards the jetty, almost there.
Wayan the white-faced heron is standing on it.
On the lake in front—four janjarak,
plus two nyimarak shelducks.

I walk to the gazebo and back
but spot no other birds beside
dooram dooram the singing honeyeater
and four karak red-tailed black cockatoos
flying over.

On passing the jetty again,
wayan is still there,
nyimarak and the janjarak too.
The sun is shimmering off the
surface of the windblown water
for a moment, maali amongst it.
And I can’t help thinking that 
the sun is not only on the surface,
but also within the water,
and also above.
And then I have walked past the reflection,
such is the small size of the water.

And then, when I’ve made it back
to the eastern shoreline beginnings—
seeing one swamphen near the reeds—
I hear the high bark of the janjarak
and then the loud honk of the shelducks
as they fly towards the water’s centre 
and a suprised maali.
Then the white-necked heron has 
given himself away, moving with long white
neck also towards the centre, next to 
the swan.
The white-faced heron on the jetty, all grey
besides the face, I can no longer see.
And in a flash, just for a moment,
I see, between the shooting branches and leaves
of the eucalyptus tree, a large brown raptor flying high,
flying south.

I look around for wayan the white-faced heron
a while longer, and see him towards the southern edge
of the water, away from the jetty.

The whole scene is alive—
Is alive with light.
Not only on its surface.
But from up above.
And within its centre.