"but something is subtly shifted / and all the long known is now new."
- Michael Conway, "Athene"



The Answer

White-breasted, no bigger
Than the palm of my hand,
A bird I've not seen before
Flicks the new snow aside
With little flips of her head
And delicate dips of her beak
To find the seeds I had tossed
Before the wind-blown snow
Sifted down from pine boughs
And covered them wings-deep.

And now the rising notes
Of a song I've never heard;
Perhaps it is in gratitude,
Or perhaps she is the first
Or the last of her kind here,
A lament of her loneliness
Deeper than any snowfall,
A hunger no seed can fill.

Knowing something of my own
I prefer to believe that her notes
And her opening wings embrace
The pure joy of simply being alive,
The music of her astonishing heart.
And all this morning I try to make
A new song of my own to answer her.




Poetry by countryfog
Read 742 times
Written on 2010-12-27 at 14:01

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Doreen Cavazza
This is absolutely beautiful. Very descriptive with a hint of sadness. Your word choices are perfect.
2011-01-02


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
I believe that you have made a new song, and a very nice one it is.
2010-12-30


F.i.in.e Moods The PoetBay support member heart!
Soothing like the beauties of nature... simply beautiful. Thanks.
2010-12-28


Nils Teodor The PoetBay support member heart!
This is great art
that speaks to my heart
Thanks for sharing
2010-12-27


shells
This piece has everything, beauty, eloquence, elegance, humanity and observations and probaly a lot more. We are now the proud owners of another bird feeder, such a simple pleasure to watch the birds, they give us so much.
2010-12-27


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
I stand in awe of your art! Clarity, Simplicity and wonder are your trademarks. They have not failed you here in the least!

A joy to read,

Joe
2010-12-27


Purple Phoenix
I enjoyed the imagery in this, felt like I was watching it myself. Loved it!
2010-12-27



Sometimes it's easy to project yourself into nature, imaging what isn't there, attributing human emotions where they cannot be. But, sometimes, and perhaps this is one of those times, nature, this lovely bird, is feeling exactly what you described, the joy of simply being alive. It seems to me I see that, deer that "froclick" in the pasture, or calves that "gambol." I believe it is a true expression of joy.

Beautiful poem.
2010-12-27


NicholasG
This is magic! I began watching the birds and set up bird feeders three years ago, so I was caught from the beginning.
The final stanza reminds me of Snoopy's dance of pure joy. That form of elation that is free and serendipitous.
This poem is music.
Thank you.
Nick
2010-12-27