ducklings

not unlike any mother

preoccupied with her brood

a nudge here,

 a quack there, 

educating the wee ones 

my own little brood following me

calling them back when they stray

teaching them

showing them

wide eyed wonder

 as they watch the ducks

and then

the rain came pouring down,

duck weather.

and an angry little boy,

forgetting

 how enjoyable the walk was

and weeping

because mom wouldn't stop

so that he could find a pebble.

human nature,

forgetting the ducklings

and mourning a pebble

(mom couldn't let her camera get soaked again.)