Distractions

How am I to work today
as a black squirrel navigates
precarious saplings
with death-defying sure-footedness?

And the Red-bellied woodpecker
thrums outside my window,
having mistaken brick for walnut bark
his bright red cap catching my breath

And how can I ever hope to focus
when a flit of yellow coming to rest
at our array of feeders, indicates
that the Goldfinch is declaring Spring?

The Chickadees are calling “you-who”
and the Blue Jay dares to ask
“Where are the peanuts?”
and I am feeling a tug of guilt

Even a starling,
perching on the windowsill
peers inside and ponders
what attraction keeps me glued

I’ve papers to write, blogs to read
and, well, a need to fulfill expectations
but how am I to concentrate
when Nature is so full of promise?

(Sketch my own)

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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

62 thoughts on “Distractions”

  2. I admire the ‘sure-footedness’ of this poem which is why I am reading it again; it is assured and brilliant as Edna St. Vincent Millay’s ‘Spring’ which is online; have you read it ?

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    1. Thanks so much, John. I hadn’t read it, so looked it up. It is on the same theme. When I performed this poem recently, I did say it could also be titled: the Poet’s Process.

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  7. Sooner or later, here, the crows will give up some turf to the chickadees & hummingbirds, but it won’t happen until after the 12-15 inches of April Snow we’re supposed to get tonight & tomorrow melts. Great stuff, VJ. Thanks.

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  18. I am picturing the birds and nature in one hand and work in the other. The birds and nature outweigh the work which not fly away but be there later and tomorrow. Wonderful poem, VJ!

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  21. Hehe. It’s a juggling act. (I face the same conundrum)
    Well, you gotta get out there and BE part of nature. Work will have to wait. Yes, ma’am.
    This is just sooooo lovely. Thanks for sharing. Xo

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