Morning Swim

I was wandering around Sweetwater Wetlands when, through an
opening in the tall reeds, I saw this little guy taking a swimming
lesson and working on his paddling skills.  He was with Mom and
siblings, about six more, but he was off by himself and quite
unconcerned about a stranger on the bank with a
camera in his hand.  Click and I had him
in my Nikon.
Later in the day, at home in front of my computer while
transferring shots from the camera, I stopped on this
photo and reached for the Delete button.  Too messy,
I thought to myself.  Cluttered.  But for a moment, I
paused and looked with different eyes, eyes not
searching for perfection, but eyes that took in a
growing charm and tenderness.
This young fella is splashing around in the warm
sunshine, learning about life on the pond,
probably unaware of what I called “clutter”,
speckled with little blooms from nearby trees.
It’s not messy for him.  It’s great!
Life is fun.  So what’s the big deal
about perfection?
A pond strewn with little flowers on a
warm Spring morning.
I should have joined him.