Milton Acorn’s “The Great Blue Heron” gives us a close, patient look at a heron standing in the water. The speaker begins with a dry joke about the bird being delicate, then shifts into real fascination. The heron is described as a refugee from dirty water, choosing clean places to fish; that lightly hints at environmental worry without turning preachy. The mood is quiet and watchful. The speaker admires how perfectly still the bird can be, like something drawn in a few exact lines, and how its movement, when it comes, is sudden as lightning. Everything about it seems careful, precise, almost unreal. There is a sense of respect for the heron’s aloneness and concentration, as if the bird has a kind of dignity the speaker wants to preserve in words.
The Great Blue Heron — Summary
The great blue heron, common on the Island Is a refugee from dirty water, Not liking pollutants in the cold soup She fishes for nourishment and flavour.
Look at the way she stands, as jokers say With just one foot at a time in the water, Counting herself a delicate creature Subject to chills, although I've not seen her Shift her stance from one leg to another To disturb perfection in her figure Surreally drawn, as if with a few strokes.
The chatter and movement of other bird Sorts are not for her. Still as space she looks Between her toes for fish, and when she moves The lightning is more sudden than the stroke She makes, I guess. Or if dissatisfied With the place she's taken she takes up One limb by ineffable precision So that not a ripple is much altered Then puts it down, commences progression With attention to each carefully poised step.