Mea Culpa

Hi Tina- 'twixt' sounds a bit contrived - why don't you use 'between' like the rest of us would. It doesn't fit this otherwise beautiful poem. I think I used 'whilst' once and was informed that it was old fashioned so I won't use it again.

Another well-crafted piece, Tina. I'm always in awe of these rarely used, but fabulously-sounding words you resurrect - serried and trenchant... Nice! Trev

I loved this and the last one about Flo at the bingo hall, the rustle of the Wotsit packet... This is mysterious, an unseen predator, a fox---the gaping barn door somehow connected to the problem. All the solemnity of a ritual: early morning walk to the pond with the corn... a tiny bit of hope, one feather hitches a ride on the wind...

Enjoyed this very much, Tina. Gentle and poignant, and the little nudge about jobs we don't bother about. Rhiannon

I know that anxiety, Tina... I kept passing these two pairs of Egyptian geese with their lovely striped goslings and the parents honking furiously if you got too close and the numbers kept diminishing... I think the yawning door of the barn reminds me of a slighly sinister predatory mouth-- it gives the poem a nice tension and that sinister feel of commonplace objects

Yes that was better with between Tina- There was a Sparrowhawk near my feeding table the other day while I was in the garden but it didn't get any of the tiny sparrows- they hid in the hedge and I shooed it away. It's a sad thing but it is the way of nature- as long as it isn't human fault then I think it is all right. By the way is Mea Culpa italian or latin- I can't remember what it means?

Now you mention it I did have latin and yes it is the basis of many European languages and english and it is a great help to have. But knowing english is also an opening to for instance italian and spanish. But then originally from latin. I was very good at latin because I knew english- isn't that funny? That is in Denmark mind you when I was studying for my A levels- but then my knowledge of danish helped me with the german. Language is a funny thing .But nowadays the easiest language for me to speak and write is Danish and I prefer to read books and stories/poems in english. What a mess. I may be able to continue to read in english but I may soon have to give up writing and I hardly ever speak it sadly. My sisters and I usually speak danish and my kids speak danish too.

great command, cheers!

Always a good read guaranteed with your poetry. Not disappointed with this one. Moya Seen another one so off I toddle

This is an excellent poem Tina - it's told beautifully, and a new favourite of yours to put with the others. :-)

Hi again Tina, I felt so sad reading this piece, nature can be so cruel at times. It seems tragic that these little creatures are doomed before they even get a chance to live. But hopefully next year's babies will have more chance of survival. We live in hope. Hope you are well. Jenny.