Empty Pond

empty pond we watched as the pond was pumped dry the ducks gathered at the deepest part as the pump did its thing until even that water was sucked away then they just stood in the wet clay later two mallards chased each other around an old oak tree heads down disgruntled wings beating the workmen sat among the trees smoking and laughing at the birds there were things in the pond wriggling minnows a few rubber balls the skeleton of a faded red and yellow kite one black sneaker the pond floor began to smell bad in the midday sun the men packed up their equipment then left in a large white truck the ducks waddled off to sit under some shade they were waiting for something to happen nothing did ~~~