Warm-up
The robins lilt
the blackbirds trill
from little sparrow’s
open bill
an aria
so sweet and round.
(how can that wee bird
make such sound?)
From somewhere high
the flicker drums
with rat-tat-tat
the forest thrums
The ducks afraid
of our bold pets
alarm their alto
clarinets
Steller’s jays rasp
the Kelp Gulls shriek
Blue Heron fishing
in the creek
mute audience
to warm-up glee
of spring’s sweet avian
symphony.
© 2016 by Violet Nesdoly (All rights reserved)
*******
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of morning birdsong. Even on the dullest days their calls brighten our walk. They’re especially melodic on the section of path that follows the creek. Listening to them every morning is the perfect way to get tuned up for the day!
This post is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted today by Carol in her Poetry Garden at Beyond Literacy blog.
Brenda Davis Harsham
June 9, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Sometimes it seems like the smaller the bird, the more the notes they sing. Then the Canada Goose honks, and they make up for it in volume.
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Violet Nesdoly
June 9, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Well said, Brenda! These little songsters must have quite the vocal cords (or physiology they use to sing).
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Brenda Davis Harsham
June 10, 2016 at 4:59 am
They are certainly louder than butterflies. 🙂
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 7:59 am
“…louder than butterflies” – Ha!! I like that.
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cvarsalona
June 10, 2016 at 3:13 am
Violet, this is a winderful, rhythmic poem that will now have me listening carefully for the bird sounds calling spring to wake up each day.
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 7:58 am
Thank you, Carol–and for hosting PF today too. So looking forward to your spring “show”!
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maryleehahn
June 10, 2016 at 4:45 am
I love the alto clarinets of the ducks! This poem is all kinds of perfect!
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 7:59 am
Aww, thanks, Mary Lee!
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katswhiskers
June 10, 2016 at 5:12 am
I was just thinking that you’re one for the birds. 😛 But you capture the moment so beautifully. Keep on trilling your peck of poetry.
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 8:01 am
Thank you, Katswhiskers. I may come by my bird interest honestly. Would you believe my maiden name is “Sperling” which, in German, is the word for “sparrow.” I have thought of putting together a little chapbook collection of bird poems, just for the fun of it.
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jama
June 10, 2016 at 7:53 am
I love hearing birdsong too — you’ve captured so many wonderful moments in your poem, which just happens to be pitch perfect. I especially love the ducks’ alto clarinets. 🙂
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 9:20 am
Thank you, Jama! (My hubby plays clarinet, so it’s a special favorite of mine too:)
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haitiruth
June 10, 2016 at 8:07 am
Thanks for this beautiful symphony of birdsong!
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 9:21 am
Thanks, Ruth. I would love to know what the birds are common in Haiti, and what they sound like.
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margaretsmn
June 10, 2016 at 1:47 pm
I love your collection of bird songs and with such specificity and clarity of imagery I can hear each sound distinctly. Thanks for this beautiful poem about my favorite subject.
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Violet Nesdoly
June 10, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Thanks so much, Margaret!
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books4learning
June 11, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Beautiful poem! I love the sound of birds singing in the morning.
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