forage. Hatchlings didn’t make it. Mothers gave up nests.

Something must have happened in the watershed

to discourage spawning perch, bluefish, Norfolk spot,

hogchokers, and rockfish. Something must have happened.

The river-hawk we often spotted hovering over water,

diving in feet first, no longer resident with kingfisher and heron.

The common osprey as a channel marker on the Severn,

collecting evidence in nests: hula hoops, rubber boots, discarded

tires. Something must have happened in that brackish runoff,

in those muddied waters where chicks starved to death.

The raptor that we knew would mate for life

flying south without laying eggs.