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
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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteWe rarely see Snow Buntings on the Island here - we are too far from their migratory path.
ReplyDeleteIn 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.
ReplyDeletenowhereland 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!
ReplyDeletelove-m-bd
I agree with Janice. A very nostalgic poem, but done with precision and craft.
ReplyDeletei can feel the loss...
ReplyDeletebeautifully done.
The last part is incredible. My favorite part.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pacing in the second stanza!
ReplyDeleteThere 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!
ReplyDeletegolebnik - 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.
ReplyDeleteJem, 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.
ReplyDeleteJem, 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.
ReplyDeleteThat gave me chills. A nightmare for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is truly lovely. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteYour poem gives me that sense of loss.
ReplyDeletelovely words...you have crafted it beautifully!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this poem Juliet. I could relate to your feelings about dream images. Well done!
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