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Starling Sunrise
by Kristina WoodhillTree tops talk
Leaves bustle
Importantly
Airing out
Their finery to greet
A whirling wind
Of wings
This skyscraping convention
Unmatched in numbers
And aligned as one to
All this new day brings
Sometime after
Spring construction
As if a part of
NightÂ’s heavenly sky
Begs to be seen
Those myriad black stars
Our eyes canÂ’t touch
Appear!
A swirling
Merry swarm
Of feathered capes
Those stars now wear
Yet, not enough
to darkly dazzle
a sun-filled
lapiz day
With swoops of
Whooshing wings
That blow the playful
Wind away
They bring with them
And sing to high heaven,
Oh, how they sing!
an angelÂ’s anthem
Yes, they do sing!
Of life
Of celebration
Of camaraderie
Their calls unite
To raucous heights
And as my hands
Reach for my ears
I stay these hands
And pray instead
This joyful noise
Might fill and echo
Out from me
on and
on and on!
let their iridescence
shine
the lesson of
their adaptability
the strength of
their devoted unity
come to signify
to our jaded
earth bound eyes
the soulful beauty of
a starling sunrise!
10/07/2006
Author's Note: The story goes that starlings were introduced to the U.S. in 1890 by one Eugene Scheiffelin, who released 60 birds in Central Park, seeking to bring all of Shakespeare’s birds to America. Anyone who has lived near their incredibly huge flocks probably has mixed feelings about them, as do I. On the other hand, perhaps they, too, have another purpose here other than rampant reproduction and annoying neighborhoods. Perhaps there is good in everything…. One writer mentions going back to the readings of Shakespeare to give him a fresh view of this vilified bird.
Posted on 10/08/2006
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 10/08/06 at 04:30 AM Much like the touted Canada Goose, whose beauty and captivating flying habits are offset by their environmental damage via their excrement; in Europe too where they were supposedly exported. Illuminating Author's Note, adding much creedance to the poem above. |
| Posted by Christel Crews on 10/09/06 at 02:14 AM such a lovely piece over a bird that gives you grief :) maybe you see both the positives and the negatives of the amazing creatures around you :) a blessed viewpoint indeed |
| Posted by Ashok Sharda on 10/09/06 at 03:26 AM Well, every event is interconnected and nature does its best to balance out for its own survival and growth. It doesn't think in terms of good or bad as we think from our subjective angle. We must see the scene in totality as you have tried to see. |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 10/11/06 at 04:29 AM Hi Kristina. Musical and lovely. I envy you your garden! I enjoyed your easy rhyme and natural flow here. Thanks. |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 10/12/06 at 12:45 AM To hear meoldy in cacophany, to find individual patterns in chaos, and to give each their respectful due... THIS is what is is to understand beauty. |
| Posted by Steven Kenworthy on 10/12/06 at 02:15 AM i have absolutely zero green thumb, but your writing, i must admit can really bring the outdoors to life. it is obvious that it is your passion and that brings out a showtune quality to this write. very alive and fun! |
| Posted by Laura Doom on 10/16/06 at 03:27 PM I've seen similar gatherings in Scotland, usually at dusk, lightning stars to darkling clouds - an unearthly spectacle. I guess you've visited the 'lyingonbacktrackingclouds' pursuit...makes you wonder how we've squeezed survival from such narrow mindsets :> I read in completely justifiable awe, and pleasure revisited. |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 11/29/06 at 06:51 AM Your poem all but flings me into these flocks and heralds the miracle and multiplicity of flight. I like your images and the way you are able to express the beauty of these winged creatures. Well done, indeed. |
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