Monday, January 11, 2010

Once Upon a Morning Dreary

If you're anticipating that you might find something a little E.A. Poe-ish here... you're correct. I began writing this poem first, last Friday, but ended up using the one I posted. I've just received enough encouragement to publish this poe-m, too. ;-) No, it's not a direct copy of Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven.' However, it did provide a model for my attempt at humor.

I hope you enjoy this. I did write it, and as silly as it is, just enjoy and leave it here.




Once Upon a Morning Dreary


Once upon a morning dreary, as I photo-ed birds more clearly,

Over the white and drifted snow, I watched them struggle in the windy blow.

While I stared, quite innocently, suddenly the wind blew intently,

The wintry fowl approached the feeder, approaching afore my window here,

“They’re only hungry,” that I murmured, “flapping near my window here;

Only this and nothing more.”



As I gazed out at that feeder, amazed and wondering, ever peering,

Watching birds dart here and there, intrigued as I’d never been before,

To the feeder they came chirping, anticipating their next meal,

chirping - chipping; to the birdbath, sipping – sipping, never tipping,

Then I whispered as I snapped my photos, “I could do this evermore!”

Only this, “Forever more!”



As I turned round in that kitchen, to my breakfast business be,

Preparing my meal for the morning, a feeling came quite suddenly.

A yearning – yes, such a yearning, quite stronger even than before -

I found myself so quickly turning – quickly, yes! So I could see

There was a figure – Oh! and different. Large and cunningly stood he,

He stood alone, no-one more.


Opening here, I raised the curtain, so this figure I’d clearly see,

Standing midst where the rest had been, he’d surely cleared the yard and more.

A Sharp-shinned Hawk stood there, perching, standing ever confidently

Turned his sharp eye here and there, resting gaze on the empty store.

He perched serenely, ever watchful, while I standing on kitchen floor.

He turned his gaze on nothing more.


As I peeked out through the window, my mutter turned into a roar,

“The nerve of him! I know he’s hungry. But did he have to scare MY birds?”

Here I confess my own despondence as ineptly I took that chore,

but his presence in my garden brought to my mind some threatening words,

“Hey, you bird! Get out of my garden!” as an echo again repeated my roar,

And left me wondering - what’s in store?


Slowly turning round he gazed, with steely eyes so very clear,

He thought he’d won but my upturned hand showed there was more!

He saw my weapon – my frying pan! His exit now was near…

I opened the window in preparation - his gaze right through me tore.

So he left, wings lifted skyward, causing him to quickly soar,

Yes, dear friends, I won the battle, but quite clearly he had won the war.



Quite honestly, I haven't seen a sharp-shinned hawk here in a couple of years. However, his visit did result in a front yard devoid of any other living creature. After he finally flew away, the Winter birds did not return for quite some time.


by Shady Gardener

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi SG ~~ I love your poem however the workings of nature defy me sometimes. Hawks are fabulous birds but they eat their cousins. This is just wrong. You're a gifted writer.

joey said...

Keep that 'pen on fire', dear one ... you have a gift!

Bren Haas said...

WOW.... your blog has grown so much since I visited. I have to agree with Joey when she says your pen is on fire!
Those birds you share are inspiring! The little friends of our gardens are not so easy to catch with the lens!

Happy Winter - can't wait to see what you share next!

Anonymous said...

Shady, my dear, you are so talented! Frying pan, good one! LOL or make it ROLFLOL! :-)
Frances

Rose said...

I much prefer this to Poe's "Raven," SG; you are so talented! And so many birds at your feeders! I love your new header, too.

Shady Gardener said...

Thanks, all. I had a wonderful time with this! ;-) We've been enjoying a lot of birds at the feeder, but last Thursday's snow storm intensified their appearance! And you can tell where I was standing quite a bit of the day! ha.

Kathleen said...

Nice poem Shady! I have so many hawks in my yard it's downright discouraging. Now that he's found your yard, he's sure to be back! Keep your camera handy.

Noelle Johnson said...

You are quite a talented word artist. I enjoyed your poem and the birds in your photos. I am always so happy to see red cardinals. I am glad the hawk did not get any of the birds.

Shady Gardener said...

Grace, It does smack of "wrongness," doesn't it? That a bird would eat a bird? Do you think it's just the Bully syndrome?
Thanks for the compliment.

Joey, The pen was definitely "hot" on Friday. ha. I really do love writing poetry. But, today I need to look more closely at your minestrone soup recipe!

Hi Bren. :-) Some birds are very difficult to capture, but I was actually trying to catch a few "action shots" last Thursday!

Frances - be careful. All I need is a little encouragement! ha.

Rose, Thanks. It all comes from having a fairly new camera and Winter. ;-)

Hi Kathleen, having many hawks would be Very discouraging! Do you do anything to keep them at bay?

Hi Noelle, Thanks for the compliment. :-) I so enjoy the red cardinals, too.

Gail said...

That was so much fun...gail

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Gail! Thanks! :-) And thanks for visiting. Is your healing progressing well??

troutbirder said...

Bravo Shady! I like it.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi troutbirder! Thanks! :-)

Unknown said...

Great poem SG - you really are talented. I love your bird pictures too.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi RainGardener ` thanks for the compliment. I'm having so much fun snapping photos! :-)

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I loved your poem! I'm glad the hawk saw who was in charge around there. I hope he stays away from you and your frying pan :)

Ellie Mae's Cottage said...

Great job with the poem Shady! You are so talented and I so enjoy reading your blog!

Jay said...

Haha! Yes, it's amazing how a very large bird of prey can clear the garden and feeders of the little chirpers isn't it?

We haven't had a hawk in the garden, but when the jackdaw pays us a visit, the little birds go very quiet and then scatter as fast as their wings will take them. Just the big black shape appearing in the sky above them triggers a very primitive urge to flee!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Catherine! I'm sure you can imagine my lethal ability with the frying pan? ha! :-)

...and I'm always glad when you visit, Jackie! :-) Thanks for the compliment!

Jay, If I were one of those little fellows out there, and I saw one of those hawks, I'd leave, too! I'm not familiar with your jackdaw. I'll have to look him up. Thanks for your visit. :-)

Anonymous said...

Shady ~ I'm late getting 'round to this poetry... how clever and enjoyable, especially accompanied by the photos! Glad I held onto your January invitation.

Deb