Temporary Trials
A Musing Inspired by the Eclipse Plumage Phenomenon
Each summer the bright feathers fade
Change renders vibrancy to gray
Lake or land bound for lack of flight
Incapacity at first sight
Patterned in purposeful design
Sitting still in storms seems so strange
Except in light of grander schemes
Author's Note: The eclipse plumage phenomenon occurs in mallard ducks and some other species of birds. For mallards, after breeding season they molt all their bright feathers, including the ones necessary for flight. For a period of time they are unable to fly and are adorned in a temporary coat of dull feathers. After several weeks, the mallards molt again to grow back their full colors and are once again able to fly.
Source: "Everything you need to know about eclipse plumage!" by the Scottish Wildlife Trust
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Keep reading
More stories from D.K. Shepard and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (24)
Smashing take on the challenge!
Wonderful poem, D.K., and I learned about eclipse plumage!
Well, you learn something new, not always about ducks, every day. Loved this!
I had no idea, how remarkable! And I love the way you've remarked on it too!
That's amazing, and your poem was a wonderful way to learn about it! Congratulations on a very well-deserved Top Story.
I did not know that about ducks. I really like where you took this challenge good luck. I believe it has a chance
Nice! Congrats. I like the note you added.
Hi D.K.! Congratulations on your Top Story; I thought I was subscribed already but wasn't. Now I am!
This is such a beautiful, fascinating, and well-executed poem! Congrats on Top Story!
Great acrostic, really insightful... AND how educational! I have lived near ducks all my life and I am today years old to have discovered this mallard news. I actually thought all the male ducks left once they had had their way with the females. I now know better. Consider me enlightened! Thank you.
That's fascinating D.K.- thanks for adding that author's note in. Do they have any guesses as to why this happens? Seems dangerous for a duck to be grounded for a length of time! "Sitting still in storms seems so strange" was my favourite line here.
An unknown type of duck! Congratulations on your top story.
Oh wow, I never knew this about mallard ducks. That's so fascinating! Your Acrostic was beautiful and I loved it. Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations 🥳
Congratulations on top story! Thoroughly enjoyed your acrostic. 👍
wow I didn't know about mallards, nature is fascinating! And you could tell this so beautifully in a poem! Congrats on top story!
Congratulations 🎉🎉 for top story You're an unstoppable force! Your drive and ambition are incredibly commendable.
This is beautiful, and educational. Congrats on the TS.
Congrats on Top Story! I learned something new today!
Nice to learn new things. Congrats.
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing and congrats!!!
I like this one (Thor Voice)
Great poem! I didn't know that they molt even their flight feathers all at once like that. Crazy!
Wow, I LOVE this. Beautifully composed poem, on a fascinating, little known subject/use of the word eclipse, with a deep, transcendent theme woven into the last couple of lines. This one's got it all, amazing job!