Unsuccessful Assault Upon a Prey Thought Unsuspecting

The fox stands hidden among the reeds
   at the edge of the tidal pond.
He sees a duck he thinks he can catch.
I stop to watch: I could intervene with a shout
   but I let him play his gambit out.

The duck is placid, unaware, or so it seems.
The fox bounds forward, pushing on
   through the water, but is no match
   for the water fowl, who lifts its body
   out with a beat of its wings, its life not in doubt.

The fox stands in the water, his eyes beads
   that follow the duck in flight.  He's been conned
   by the look of innocence, his slyness is no match.
Out of his element, wet, bedraggled,
   outwitted, homeward he straggles.

I know how you feel, pal, I say to myself.
I went after one whom I thought unsuspecting.
Instead, I was caught unawares, 
   the tide coming in against me. 
Now I'm up to my neck, defenseless as thee.