Ducks

In the Boston Public Gardens
there’s a row of metal ducks
They live off iron filings
that they peck from passing trucks.

They never need to preen themselves
as other ducklings must
but once a month
with wire wool
they polish off the rust.

They never waddle to the pond
to stop and take a drink.
It’s just as well
’cause if they did
they might fall in and sink.

[1999]