The Silence Of A Regent Honeyeater

Cherry

By onemorething

Wed, 17 Mar 2021
  • 2589 reads
9 comments
 

A eucalyptus tree flowers 

in a Spring outburst

of petal-less blooms, stamens,

pollen-laden, a honeyeater's nest

timed to its blossom.

These yellow and black flashes

of wattlebirds cannot flock

on empty branches, and forgetting 

one another, they will forget 

what to sing. And we will ask

the sky for its memory,

but the sky will not remember,

only that Man and fire

have visited the valleys and live 

in the hollow of loss,

in the void between 

one musical note and the next,

in the unknowability 

of what exists in the silence.
 

 

Based on this very sad article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/science-environment-56417544?__twitter_impression=true

Image is from here: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Regent_honeyeater.jpg

 

Also on Twitter: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_Australian_bird_book_-_a_pocket_book_for_field_use_(1911)_(20356019201).jpg

 

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eucalyptus_pauciflora_(2).jpg

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eucalyptus_ghj.jpg

Certificate U
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by marandina on

Here's hoping ongoing efforts using recordings help. That's a precariously low number left in the wild. Such a sad story :(

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Yes, it's yet another terrible environmental tragedy. The low numbers are especially critical because they are so low that one major event - like the repeat of large scale bush fires could push them to extinction. There's a term for it, which eludes me at the moment. Can't remember if it mentions it in the article or not. Thanks for reading it, Paul. :)

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

I read this story this morning. It's so very sad. Taking their voices seems so particularly cruel.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I see that a lot of people follow the BBC which broadcast this news. I put pen to paper to record the distressing event as soon as I read the report but notice you have been even quicker and produced a lovely tribute in your inimitable style. Brava, well done.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Yes, you did! I am sure a lot of people read the story and were as upset as you and I. There was something so sad, literally and metaphorically, about a bird losing its song. Thank you for reading my little piece of sadness about it. Rachel x

 

Submitted by sean mcnulty on

One of my favourite titles in a long time. And another great poem too.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Ha, I'm so glad I gave it this title then. I changed it just before I posted it! Glad you enjoyed the poem too. :)

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

I've just read the article you’ve linked here and it is so sad, so very sad. What we have done to the fragile links of species, that have every right to their habitat and the right to coexist on this planet, is heartbreaking. Our footprint has grown too big. You've written a lovely homage to this bird and its plight and I hope the conservationists trying to save this bird will succeed, and you will be able to write it a happy ending.

Penny4athought

Submitted by onemorething on

Heartbroken is just how I felt. I would love to be able to write a happy ending in the future. As you say, our footprint is too big, and I wonder how many tragic stories we will need to hear before we act more radically in favour of not just our own species. Thanks for taking the time to read it. :)