Monday 10 March 2008

Dream Birds

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:

Anonymous said...

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.

jem said...

That second verse rings especially true, of everything in dreams, not just birds.

Janice Thomson said...

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

Anonymous said...

Somehow this made me sad. We are creating havoc with environment.

nowhereland becomes neverland

Cassiopeia Rises said...

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

WH said...

I agree with Janice. A very nostalgic poem, but done with precision and craft.

polona said...

i can feel the loss...
beautifully done.

Anonymous said...

The last part is incredible. My favorite part.

Jessica said...

Wonderful pacing in the second stanza!

Anonymous said...

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!

Crafty Green Poet said...

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

Crafty Green Poet said...

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

Jaya said...

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.

Tammy Brierly said...

That gave me chills. A nightmare for sure.

Unknown said...

This poem is truly lovely. Nice work.

Anonymous said...

Your poem gives me that sense of loss.

Anonymous said...

lovely words...you have crafted it beautifully!

Geraldine said...

I really enjoyed reading this poem Juliet. I could relate to your feelings about dream images. Well done!

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