I hear the quacking
Before I see the panicked duck.
It flaps its wings furiously
Attempting to escape my notice,
But I instantly lock on to it
Calculate the bird’s trajectory and flight speed
In order to find the exact place it will be in two seconds.
With moving targets, you have to shoot at where it will be
Not where it is.
I have perfected this technique and look through my sight.
My breath quickens, but I keep my hand steady
In one second, the bird will be mine.
I squeeze the trigger and all of my giddy excitement leaves in that one shot.
But the duck does not drop from the sky.
Instead, I see the mutt of a dog pop onto my screen
Shaking with laughter that signals my miss.