The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Pondhawk at Water’s Edge

I perch unseen,
my green body disappearing
among slender sedges
and button bush branches

while you jockey for control
of your small stretch of shore,
leap-frogging from pickerel weed
to water lily,

dive-bombing other dragonflies
that dare encroach,
certain your swagger will impress
when I leave my perch,

that I will choose you and
your kingdom of muck,
dip my abdomen,
lay my precious eggs.

I watch your furious patrol,
consider my choice,
lift off
to embrace the future.

About the Writer


Buffy Silverman

Buffy’s fascination with nature inspires much of her writing. Her recent book, On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring, received a star from Kirkus Reviews and is an NCTE 2021 Notable Poetry Book. A companion book, On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasures, is an NCTE 2023 Notable Book in the Language Arts. She lives near a swampy lake in Michigan where she enjoys outdoor time with her dog, watching and photographing nature, and writing poetry.