birds – One Woman's Quest

Cardinal

Cardinal cares not
for human noise, her sweet song
a sprightly muse
even the meanest of hearts
turn skyward at her bidding.

(A tanka for Thursday. Image my own.)

Birds And Humans

A band of blue jays
gather around, debase
serenity of this garden
party: chickadees and cardinals
scatter, sense danger
in raucous intrusion –

Bemused, I watch, marvel
birds parodying humans.

(Tuesdays, I borrow from Twitter @Vjknutson. Image my own.)

Welcome Visitor

Mercy bore wings
graced my doorstep
her cheery song nectar
for a weary heart –
initiative all hers.

(Image mine)

Lockdown Tanka

A grackle shimmers
sun highlighting blue – my mood
queer melancholy –
absent knocks, talks, minutiae
remains discomforting din.

(Photo mine)

Past Prime

Celebrity bores
I crave sapid exchange – bird
song, sweet and tender
I am past prime – gigs dried up
but nature provides plenty.

(Image mine)

Defined in Pencil

Blackbirds utter gloom
speak in murmurations
grey blots out sunlight
blurs definition – pencil
contemplates early nightfall.

(Tanka and sketch by yours truly)

Laughing Gull

Craving compassion
I seek the wisdom
of the river –

Her glimmering waters
reflect sun’s warmth
I am at once calmed

and uplifted –
seagull raises his wings
emits an ungodly chuckle.

(Image, my own, is not actually a Laughing Gull, but the title fits.)

Brown Creeper

Full sun,
river dons an icy blue,
white banks blind,
light hits water –
bedazzled burst –
I seek an angle.

Banditry of chickadees
noisily arrives
dance their joyous jig –
too slow my lens

Movement on a bare bark
draws my focus,
a brown creeper –
I am lucky this time
delightful noonday capture.

Bald Eagle

Intense, your presence,
fierceness of talons, bulk of
feathered might – humble
my soul’s rejoicing, grateful
to share this brief encounter.

(For Granny Shot It’s Bird of the Day.)

Spotted Sandpiper

A succession of tweets
draws me to riverbed
where tiny legs scurry
across exposed rocks.

Foraging amongst
soggy offerings,
the Spotted Sandpiper
exudes confidence.

It is female who
choses breeding ground,
prepared to defend
her clan, appoints

her mates to mind
the young – she is
polyamorous, hormone
driven – a force.

(For Granny Shot It’s Bird of the Day.)