Building A Boat

Cherry

By onemorething

Wed, 02 Jun 2021
  • 2642 reads
14 comments
 

A woodpecker's yaffle

tells us about the rain;

a harmony to appease

June's green fire.

A drum on a sycamore,

a knock for a church's door -

though no amount of sin

would have me pleading

to any god, and besides,

some misdeeds 

are unforgivable, or

unforgettable; I no longer

remember which.

Chisel-beaked and 

iron-headed, little carpenters,

perhaps they will build a boat

for the freedom of man,

from a womb that begins

to look like a shadow 

on a lung, or a dark mirror

that only the purest 

may peer in. 

And I, too, want to sail away,

but I do not dare ask

the woodpecker

if I am worth saving. 
 

 

Image is from here: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:British_birds_in_their_haunts_(9785569865).jpg

Also on Twitter: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27The_Sycamores%27_by_Alexandre_Calame,_Cincinnati_Art_Museum.JPG

 

Woodpeckers are sometimes called yaffles because of their calls. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G8j11YH29_s In a number of cultures, too, there are stories about woodpeckers releasing a man or mankind from inside a tree. 

 

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Comments

Submitted by Ewan on

mind if you asked him, I suspect he'd laugh if I did though.

Wonderful poetry, full of depth and meaning.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Ewan. :) 

 

Submitted by monodemo on

I love your poem one more thing. It was easy to read and very enjoyable. Thank you. A well deserved cherry

monodemo

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you, glad you liked it. :)

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I haven't seen one of these for a few years - I love watching their curious behaviour - fascinating youtube link too - thank you!

 

Submitted by onemorething on

They are very lovely. My favourites are probably the pileated ones that are the punks of the woodpecker world. :)

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

I must admit I've been a bit remiss at reading your excellent poems, (and reading in general). 

I have a soft spot for Yaffles, I hear them often but rarely see their typical green streak as the fly by on the lookout for ants nests.

I have a soft spot for all woodpeckers. I once nursed a great spotted woodpecker back to life after it brained itself flying into our double glazed window (would have killed most birds). and one brilliant summer a pair of Great Blacks nested in an old rotting tree nearby. They have the most beautiful call which remined me of more tropical bird calls.

Your poem is superb. In your typical style you describe your thoughts about woodpeckers and the drift off into personal thoughts. I admire the way you weave all these thoughts together into a deep and meaningful poem which touches us all. This is a great skill. I'm so sorry to admit I've missed so many of you pieces recently.

 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you Ed, that's really kind. I love them too. How amazing that you nursed one! And yes, a strong skull probably did save it. So many benefits to wildlife of a dead tree, and I did see a funny cartoon the other day of a woodpecker pecking away, carving a hollow and a line of other creatures in a queue along a branch waiting for it to finish in the hope of occupying the hole. It might have been a nature thing about them being a keystone species. It's lovely to hear that you enjoy my poems - has put a smile on my face. Thank you. :)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Made me think of Professor Yaffle from Bagpuss. Aren't woodpeckers wonderful? A super poem, of course :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Paul, and yes they are, such enigmatic birds. I would love a Professor Yaffle in my garden. Am happy you enjoyed it. :)

 

Submitted by bhi on

OMT, Your poems are definitely worth saving! This is another gem to add to your long list of pearls.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you! That's very kind! :)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

When next in the forest and I see a woodpecker, I shall think of your poem Rachel.

Only ever seen two in my garden, and they were only just visiting for food..

Fascinating birds, just like your poem.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Oh, thank you Jenny. Funny birds - something beautifully clownish about them, but they're very important. :)