SPRING ... WATCH AND LISTEN
Yesterday I watched and
listened to you through
my window.
Today I opened my door,
we were so close as
I watched and listened …
Robins–Trilling, trailing,
cherry, cherup, cheruping.
Cardinals fluttering through soft fluffs
of lightest pink and dots of emerald.
A background canvas-canopy
filled with constant song,
with individual voices
singing their own songs.
My eye searching for
whichever one of you–
Ah–You King Cardinal–
Hopping so surely, securely,
a pair of feet perfectly synced.
Red beak beaming through a framed
mask of jet-black feathers …
Looking, cocking, searching for–
Seeds–bedding–me to move–
Leaving me to look up, watch and listen …
© 2018 Michelle Kogan. All rights reserved.
Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:
At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it. – J. F.Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:
A symphony of a poem, Michelle! I love that you engaged your eyes AND your ears while staring out your window.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle, this prompt feeds an inner calling that's close to my heart!
DeleteNo cardinals here, so I love reading your poem, what you saw out your window, Michelle, that "background canvas-canopy". As an artist, your sighting must always be a canvas, right?
ReplyDeleteMy instincts will naturally go to mediums I'm familiar with–I do like drawing from the visual arts, thanks Linda.
DeleteI love the birds sounds and canvas-canopy lines I love to here the sound of spring
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica–I like them too!
DeletePerfect descriptions!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebekah, and I'll thank nature for the inspiration!
DeleteI was right there in the experience. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks David!
DeleteVery nice poem. I especially like the line "Red beak beaming through a framed
ReplyDeletemask of jet-black feathers." Thanks for the post.
Thanks Rosi, I've never had the opportunity to be that close to a cardinal before, such a handsome bird!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Michelle. I'm sure there's an illustration attached to this one, too... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat! Yes in my minds eye image formed–I had the desire to sketch while watching, but didn't as I wanted to study the bird and take it in without looking away.
DeleteAh. Red bird is special here as I think of my dear Mother who taught me the names of the chippers. She is gone from Earth but every Red bird recalls her giftgto me. This poem! Appreciations to you both & to Julie for the prompt.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, How beautiful and special that your mom taught you the name of these birds, thanks!
ReplyDelete