Only a bird

By catherine poarch

Sat, 03 Jan 2015
  • 2307 reads
9 comments
 

In its wings were African skies.

Its eyes dark glimmers of the Northern sea.

The dust of Spain had brushed against its claws.

Stains on its beak; some sweet, Moroccan tree.

 

Yet there it was, perched on a bin,

Small as a pin drop, tiny as a star.

Watching the rush and trammel of the street,

endlessly looping cafe, litter, car…

 

And then it sang. Nobody heard.

Only a bird, invisible as air,

Singing the song of hedgerows and of hills,

of rivers winding, slowly, slowly, there.

Certificate U
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Lovely observations.  There are miracles in the things we overlook.

Submitted by Bee on

How beautiful. I love the way you picked up the little bird's journey in it's description. This really makes a comment about the unnoticed among us - made me think of those we may assume to be nonentities, but who could turn out to have amazing stories, if only we took the time to find out. 

Bee

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Thank you, Phillip and Bee, for your lovely comments. Really appreciate them. Have a good weekend. x

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Really liked the simplicity of form and content, lovely concise picture, saying so much. (What bird?) Rhiannon

 

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Thank you! I'm not a bird expert. I'm going to say one of those ones you hear and don't see or see but don't hear! Not the more unusual ones you suddenly notice out of your mum's window on Boxing Day and shout what's that and make everyone jump! Turned out to be a jay. x

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Behind its insignificance lies its beauty, something we could all take on board I suppose.

Lovely and thought provoking.

Lindy

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Thank you Lindy, I appreciate your comment very much. smiley

 

Submitted by pom99 on

I believe a good poet is a great observer and your attention to details here is arresting. It makes me think of you as a person who sat and quietly observed the bird and then shared these wonderful thoughts with us. Thank you for sharing what others might find mundane in such tender light. 

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Thank you, pom99, for such a lovely comment. I can't pretend to have observed the bird, no. The first line came into my head and then I also had a picture of it in my head too. Sitting on a bin in Bristol City Centre. Thank you and hope you have a good Sunday.