Kingfisher

Absolutely wonderful Scratch. Loved it.

WOW, so many stunningly beautiful lines and not a single weak phrase, every one working hard, working brilliantly!!

Scratch, heard you read this last night and thought it great then. Read it now and can't help thinking just how good this is!

BTW, hope you got home ok! Enjoy the smurf!

Many thanks Edenfalls.

Thank you Jolono, I'm so glad you liked this. It was really great to meet you and I loved the sax story excellent. I did get home with no hassle thanks and I really enjoyed the evening in London.

shoe, thanks for stopping by and even more so for the kind comment, big smile from me.

Another bird-poem, hey?
It was a real pleasure to meet you last night, especially when I presumed you were a woman!
Amazing how judgement is only as blind as the prejudice wormed into us.
Maybe one day you'll realise that you're actually a bloody good poet.
Don't forget; we're only ever three foot away from a phone. And ta for me lime and soda, chuck.

Wonderful poem, great to hear it read out last night. Thoroughly enjoyed

Outstanding - reminds me of Hughes - Pike or Otter or both. The last line is as good as last lines get.

Well Blighters I guess that the confusion is evened with Sid being there as well! It was a real pleasure Blighters. And Sid thanks for the lovely comment. Yous know that I follow your stuff and threads that accompany them; "Shall We"? Is at the top of my favourites list, I simply love that poem.

Back again Fatboy? So glad that you are and here to make a super comment like that. Cheers matey.

And of course a big, big thank you to the pickers (whoever you are).

Many, many thanks Julie and there's a bit of me that still feels seventeen - just not the right bit I'm afraid :q..

new Scratch
Hello! Great evening wasn't it,
and hear you and all readers.
Loved this one read last night! at
"The Wheatsheaf". beautiful and images,
and colours of this good poem. And about "The
Kingfisher" you read and Tony likes,it was my
mums favourite bird when alive,had a colourful picture of "Kingfisher" beautiful now see quite a few pictures ah! memories.
I see mentioned "Jolono" read story "Saxophonists"
brilliant tears,of laughter! on one lemonade!
Don't give new baby "Smurf" till older as colours could come out,and make sure all bits and pieces,tag and plastic are removed,says! Keep it till older or give it away! I couldn't get out from table meet all,
Ray takes bit space up too!
so pleased met you! thought be about 17 and a pierced ear, by comments to me,completely wrong!
Was going bring light colour small teddy,shop closed. Couldn't part with,may bring September! depending on the dates.
Well deserved cherry! All read so well!
cavalcaderl julie x

new Scratch
Thanks! Your as young as you feel saying!
Everyday is precious, especially getting older.
What one can do with it.
I once was a telephonists,when came in pay up,
cars etc; voice never matched how people sounded on phone! Rested today low seats trains no good. But great the underground,all stand up for me! poor olde dear,smile what! say thankyou seats too low,and we only go one or two,stations there so kind shame!
Must catch up now! Bring photos of baby next time! please.
julie x

Ok Julie I will bring some photos next time - who knows, I might even bring the baby!

There is so much delight in the beautiful kingfisher brought together skilfully here. I'm glad to tell you, and praise, because I'm afraid I easily shy away from commenting about all that is so good, when I feel uncomfortable with any pantheistic references, even when metaphoric!
Rhiannon

Thank you Rhiannonw. And do you know, the idea that the 'river god' reference might be sensitive never even crossed my mind - and me being a brought up Catholic. I am really gratefully for the read and of course the comment. Thanks again.

Love every line

Thank you so much Sundays. Three simple words can put smiles on faces and yours have on mine. I was transported by your read on Tuesday. I could try to say more but I fear of sounding unintentionally superficial. So all I will say is simply 'thank you'.

:)

This is not only our Poem of the Week but also our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day.

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Get a great reading recommendation most days.

Excellent read, great work.
Dan.

Many thanks Dan.

Tony, thank you very much.

Truly a poetic tour-de-force, Scratch! I loved every single word - but especially the opening, and the last line... And everything in between ;-) Seriously well done on this one - it's amazing!

Magic xxx

May the exam God put extra genius in your essay responses. Thanks for your lovely comment mistaken I'll be thinking of your trials this comming week - good luck; not that you'll need it.

Beautiful one scratch.

I can see this in an illustrated book.
A water colour and ink drawing.
One to read to your little stardust

Nice one ScoZen that means a lot, thanks.

Speechless...but 'amazing dace' springs to mind;-)

'...such stuff as dreams are made on...'

Superlative, scratch.

Silver

Thank you so much Silver One.

New scratch
Hi! Terrific.
Well done! on chosen for
POW and Facebook and Twitter Pick of the day.
What a grand wonderful poem,this is so powerful
of colours and history,of the "King Fisher".
Colours,images,and enveloping words of descriptions.
I am re-reading,learning more about it. hOW did you
manage make it so interesting and flowing,definitley
great flourishing poet.
Then my late mum had a "KingFisher" small barometer.
Yes,be wonderful bring the baby,maby bit late time.
But do bring the photos. I used make toys,knit and nylon fur,days I couldn't get out. Plus baby while Ray worked shifts,now married and grown up. Wow! daughter's b/day sunday well over 21 years fly by.
I just started small albumn of photos alot celebs things,achieved in all adversities,over the years.
Go to show as well, with him or with out fab; Ray brings me to London x B/rail so go free "The Wheatsheaf" terrific.
Sending you sunshine! Hot day here.
A big kiss for "Stardust" little girl to you and your wife. Congratulations.
They soon grow babies of today,and knowledge too.
Bring the teddy for you, if date is not clashing,things,now joined coming up! One is people's Day at Brighton. etc; Rays captain snooker and plays bowls younger tham me had to re-tire! So now try!
and do many things,go to shows. Day centres,etc;
"Singing For Pleasure" fab for anxiety,depressed and
all it says on cards,taught by Musical Director "Simon Gray" great,many go! pay, venues places coming up! No song sheets wonderful? Can't read music. Sing bit.
Then when got my very first cherry! truly amazed!
Doen't matter,it's the mental side working it all out. And computer,share Rays,Ray had drawn one on,born tease,I believed,then next day it appeared. Well church and homeless hostel helping and doing great help,spiritually for me,and to be on AbcTales,even though some of my work is erractic keep on. Editor T.Cook great help,and all. Read all poets work all so good. Gives me ideas too.
Bought gorgeous t.shirt H.M The Queen on in London!
and Union Jack kind of top hat royal blue and red.
That's why! bit late "The Wheatsheaf" that night naughty! Not seen quite one like this in Brighton.Wear for n/home few us invited day centre!
Then things coming up in Brighton festival people needed,time place dress up big head! eccentric love it all. My mum so confident and sung! but 80 odd voice start go screech hers'but great voice once.
Gave sparkly one had away,when some us did "Street Elderly".
Have a good week end.
take care
x cavalcaderl Julie and Ray x

Thank you so much for letting me know Julie it was so nice to finally meet you. Big smile.

Hi scratch, yes, this is really good, real poetry, actually breathtaking. It took me ten times as long to wade through all the well-deserved comments. The thing with good writing is that it should resonate, and this does, like a big bell, leaves one tingling. Well done with all the accolades, cherries, pick of the day, etc. etc. etc.

Meant to say earlier, how are mother and child doing?

Best wishes, loved this one.

Trev

Mother and child are perfect thanks Trev

Loved it when you read it and loved it when I read it. Now however I will hear all of this in a Yorkshire accent...

Majestic...beautiful crafting - I am there at that river watching that flash. Read marvellously too!

Thank you Lavadis, I'm so gratefull for your praise and encouragement. Right from my very first post you have been a welcome stalwart, your comments always a fillip.

Laura, so glad you like it and for telling me so, I have a big smile right now!

P.S. I'm originally from Wigan lav' which is most definitely, uncompromisingly Lancastrian! Over the years I guess I now have aquired a mishmash sound for people to contend with. 7:-)

Wow, this is great, scratch. A wave of unrelenting creativity lashing at bindings with pure creative joy. Rich

Many thanks Richard, it's always great to hear from you. Thanks for the lovely comment.

Hi Scratch, you once left an amazing comment on one of my pieces, and I have not as yet delved into much of your work. This brilliant poem would have implored me to comment anyway, I must add, but what an introduction to your writing (the comments hint at the fact you are mostly a short story/prose man - I shall find this out soon enough!)

It's hard to post an original comment on this, as so many people above have praised you in different ways and rightly so, so all I will say is that I hugely enjoyed the electric darting to and fro of your protagonist, set against the meandering river and its 'relics of old'. Your word choices took my breath away. So, so good.

That'll do for me ItsSteveDave. Nice one, thanks; a big smile on my face right now!

No throw away words in this at all. It's so tight it squeaks. About as professional as it gets. Beautiful.

Just got around to reading this scratch and I'm
so glad I did.

What an amazing description, you have so much
detail, I can't see that you've missed anything
out.

Beautiful read. I could imagine it
set to classical music.

Thankyou so much for sharing.

Jenny.

Thank YOU Jennifer for stopping by and posting such a lovely comment.

Indrani Ananda

What a beautiful graphic poem, Scratch. A KIngfisher is indeed a flash in the river's eye. This poem sparkles with all the colours and sounds of a riverbank with trailing reeds in summer. It's perfect.

Indrani.

Kingfishers - such beautiful birds. As this poem.

Rigel

Rigel, thank you for taking the time to read and even bigger thanks for letting me know.

Indrani, I have forgotten my manners! A belated thank you.

'And what secrets you have seen,
relics of old;'

I enjoyed this a lot, your writing flows effortlessly.

Thank you Atticus. I appreciate your time for reading and even more for commenting. My bloody connection is rubbish. Ordinarily I would have acknowledged sooner. Big thanks for stopping by and telling me.

7:-)

What a journey this is, and what a breath-taking one, too. It's all been said - stunning, inspiring poem, scratch. Loved it :)

Many, many thanks for reading it and letting me know Rachel.

This poem is stunning scratch. i love kingfishers and you have described the beauty of when one is spotted perfectly. wonderful, really really gorgeous imagery.

Beeme xx

Thank you so much for stopping by Beeme. I'm so glad that you liked it and took the time to let me know.

Thanks matey.

this is amazing, great words.
my dad was always a fan of kingfishers and I never really understood them until you made such beauty out of them in this.

Well Done
Kate

Just clicked on this one and it's a stunning introduction to your work.
Beautiful when read aloud (as well as on the page) each word chosen to form the whole and a lovely sense of movement and colour in the image.

A pleasure to read.

Bear

7;-))

Thanks Bear. Natural observations of the natural world, there surely can be no greater well spring for the imagination?

I appreciate your time to comment.

I am astonished (and furious) that I am only now reading this. What a superb piece of work. One only has to look above to see how appreciated this poem is. My favourite line (amongst others) has got to be

'then falling to smash the mirror'

It struck up to most meticulous image - poetically perfect. If this was read to a crowd, I would initiate a standing ovation. Since that isn't possible at this moment in time, you'll just have to take my word that I am standing and clapping.

Steve

Thanks Steve, you'll do for me my friend. There's a BIG smile on my face right now.

:D

I've never seen a Kingfisher in real life but I know how beautiful they are- you have certainly done it justice here and the landscape and the metaphysical. Very brilliant Scratch. Thank you for an utterly enjoyable experience with this masterpiece. Your very own style also with this creation.
Congratualtions with honourable mention- well deserved.
I am a sucker for nature poems so this is top of the list of favourites.
;)Pia

Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a wonderful comment Pia; your time and effort means a lot.

Bags of mystique and wonder here, what a delectable poem. Have no idea how I jumped on to this scratch, but I'm jolly glad I didn't miss it.

Thanks Vera. It was so nice to see a read and a new comment on this one. I don't mind admitting that I am very fond of it. I wrote it for an ABCtales reading event in London and was delighted by the reception that it recieved.

Big thankyou for telling me mate.