Snow buntings on the garden lawn
rather than twenty starlings
and a sparrow.
In dreams, birds are rarer
their markings clearer
I get nearer.
And sometimes dream flocks
of extinct birds
darken the sky
waking me
to a sense of loss.
I wrote another dream poem on my other blog Over Forty Shades.
Dreams for Read Write Poem
18 comments:
When I began reading this, at first I thought you really did have snow buntings in your garden. After the goosanders on the Water of Leith, I wouldn’t have been surprised!
I assume you have passenger pigeons in mind further on. I was reminded of them by the Amazing Rare Things exhibition in Edinburgh last summer. Their extinction is such a distressing and poignant story.
That second verse rings especially true, of everything in dreams, not just birds.
We rarely see Snow Buntings on the Island here - we are too far from their migratory path.
In Alberta where I was raised (next province over) I remember the beautiful song of the Meadowlark. Dad says they have not been seen or heard for years now. I often long to hear their voice or see their striking v-necks... A nostalgic poem for me Juliet
Somehow this made me sad. We are creating havoc with environment.
nowhereland becomes neverland
I am so glad that this was just a dream. I too love the world of birds. Very nicely done. a two for one day Bravo!
love-m-bd
I agree with Janice. A very nostalgic poem, but done with precision and craft.
i can feel the loss...
beautifully done.
The last part is incredible. My favorite part.
Wonderful pacing in the second stanza!
There is nothing worse than waking to a sense of loss. I hope that is not how we will feel when we wake in the morning years from now. It will be a sense of loss and guilt, knowing we didn't do enough. You are undeniably talented. Always a pleasure to visit!
golebnik - we are very lucky with our birdwatching but no snow buntings yet! You're right about the passenger pigeons and now I've put a link in this poem to an earler poem I wrote about passenger pigeons.
Jem, Melanie, Polona, Noah, Jessica, Selma - thanks
Janice, Billy - thanks, yes particular birds can be very nostalgic,
gautami - havoc is the word
golebnik - we are very lucky with our birdwatching but no snow buntings yet! You're right about the passenger pigeons and now I've put a link in this poem to an earler poem I wrote about passenger pigeons.
Jem, Melanie, Polona, Noah, Jessica, Selma - thanks
Janice, Billy - thanks, yes particular birds can be very nostalgic,
gautami - havoc is the word
Wow! Thankfully it was a dream. Your take on "Rising" for Writer's Island is very nice. I have never been to Edinburgh but read a lot about it in Alexender McSmith's books.
That gave me chills. A nightmare for sure.
This poem is truly lovely. Nice work.
Your poem gives me that sense of loss.
lovely words...you have crafted it beautifully!
I really enjoyed reading this poem Juliet. I could relate to your feelings about dream images. Well done!
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