Robin At Winter Solstice

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 13 Dec 2021
  • 6061 reads
34 comments
 

Robin our treasured

winter greeter;

brings messages

whispered,

In holly and ivy garlands,

that silently bathe in blanket of snow.

 

Victorians understood

this friendly welcome;

melting hearts with eager glow,

robins of old with cheery red

bringing hope to one and all.

 

Bold nature with

human compassion,

though sedentary life

sets them free;

this bird brings aspiration

of optimism to each person

who believes creating gives energy.

 

When plunged into nighttime,

to those twinkling stars robin sings;

sensing magic in woods and forests

with the mystery that it brings,

 

remember on Winter Solstice

as sun approaches its rebirth,

robins are the ones who

bring peaceful spirit,

deserving early worms

from Mother Earth.

 

 

Pixabay free image.

Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Spiritual
Nature
Love

Comments

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

Really liked the poem. Hate robins. Vicious little things. Territorial and grumpy. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

love them or hate them, I'm glad you liked my little poem, and thank you for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

I adore robins. They are linked with returning souls of the departed. Beautiful poem, Jenny. Paul x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

there's so much to appreciate about this bird, I just couldn't resist writing about the robin. It was fun reading up on the story of how it became the Holly King on Winter Solstice too.

Thank you for reading and letting me know you liked.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

In Bulgaria the word for a robin is cherven ogradka (червеногръдка) which, literally translated, means red collar. We do see them about, along with a few blue tits and hedge sparrows but, after the great numbers of wild birds that we have here during the other seasons, the winter always seems a bit sad. So the robin, along with any other bird that cares to turn up, is always welcome or even treasured as you say in your poem.

I really enjoyed reading this. It's very evocotive of the time of year.

 

 

 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

that's an interesting bit of information about the Bulgarian word for robin. I read they're associated with Victorian postmen over here, and that the red coats they wore represented the robin, which is the recieving of best wishes and greetings that are delivered at this time of year.

I do hope you happen upon a robin in your garden, and it puts a smile on your face as it forages around for worms. The gardeners friend I like to call them. smiley

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reading. 

Jenny.

 

 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

And that's an interesting bit of information about Victorian postmen. I learn so much about the world and its contents through reading the content of ABC Tales.

I always keep an eye out for the wild birds but there is no sign of any today because it is snowing really hard. Poor wee things have no chance of a worm in this weather. I hope the fat balls that we have hung from the pear tree will help when the blizzard abates. On an intensely lazy day such as this, the term fat balls could be used to describe me and my partner. 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

it always fascinates me how much there is to learn by writing and reading here on ABC Tales.

It sounds like you are in for a very cold spell with all that snow. I love it when you get the first fall, especially over night, then the garden looks like a wonderland. But I don't like the slush left behind on roads and ice frightens me now I'm older.

We have just cloudy days here, but I prefer those days, especially for walking in. I know you love the sun, and I don't mind it this time of the year, but hate going out in the hot summer, it just makes me feel ill...we are all so different, which is what is so special about this world we live in. 

You made me laugh with your comment at the end. laugh I'm sure that's not like you and your girlfriend at all. I wish for you some fine weather to come soon. Just think Spring is just around the corner, and then new life will be peeping through in the garden, and you can get out and about again in nature and all its beauty.

Take care.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The robin like the red berries does seem to cheer in the dark, dead days of winter. So I suppose we are glad when they get their sustenance. (Though I don't really personification of the sheltering earth!)

I just looked up about their singing at night, as I  hadn't realised that they do sing at night someimes ( and not just when disturbed by night ligtts).So that was something learned! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

there's so much to love about robins on cards, they stand out so clearly against holly, ivy and snow. I also love how they'll approach you when gardening and turning the earth, like they think you are helping them find worms...perfect little companions.

I often wonder how many birds look at the night sky, and thought a song to the stars might fit in this poem, glad you picked up on that.

Thank you for reading and appreciate your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Love this tribute to our winter bird. I read recently that they follow us around because they think we're wild pigs but that could just be me since I'm always disturbing the ground, although not with my snout. Their bold nature and tenacity endears us to them and their little song at twilight is a reminder that we share our world with the wild world, long may we hear it.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I've never heard that story before. I've always thought that they think we are helping them find worms, when digging the earth, which is why they're not afraid. 

Like you say, we share our world with so much nature, each with its own pattern of living, which is the beauty of life itself.

Thank you for letting me know you read and enjoyed.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I know they're supposed to be nasty agressive little creatures, but I find it so hard to believe - especially my robin who even comes inside some days - he's so sweet!

almost forgot to comment on the poem - sorry! Lovely piece Jenny and you're right, they cheer us just with their wonderful colouring

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I was reading up on how the robin became the Holly King, apparently the wren used to be the Holly KIng, but got  in a fued with the Oak King...the robin, and rightfully the robin won and took his place as the Holly King on the Winter Solstice. There are so many tales about the robin, which gave me a lot of pleasure reading up on.

I know they're territorial, but I can understand why, they are a bit like humans. I don't think I would want strangers walking in my garden uninvited. It's a very special little robin that you have coming into your house, I think you are so lucky.

I'm glad this poem gave a cheery smile. smiley Many thanks for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by donignacio on

I love watching robins hopping around listening for worms. Also I love your poem!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

it's very kind of you to read my little poem and many thanks for your comment.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

Nice little ode to robins. Good nature poem, as usual. Congratualtions on the cherries you received for it. My apologies that I can't get on here and read more during the semester.

GGHades502

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's very kind of you to read my work and comment, always a pleasure to hear from you, thank you.

Thank you for the congrats too. smiley

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

it was such a nice surprise to see the those cherries. Really glad you liked and thank you so much.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Ewan on

An ode to robins, symbols of the season. Please share and/or retweet if you like it too.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I can't thank you enough for Pick Of The Day. It was a lovely surprise to tune in and see those gold cherries.

Many thanks again, and so glad you thought this poem was a symbol of the season.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by mark p on

Really enjoyed this one, full of great phrases and seasonal imagery,

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm hugely grateful that you think this poem is excellent.

Thank you for such a kind comment, it means a lot.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Treasured greeter is exactly right! I liked how you made robins seem magical, I don't know if it is the sharpness of their gorgeous song but they do seem to cut through the mundane world somehow as if they can fly between planes

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

you know I think you're right about them being able to fly between planes. Like Paul said, they can be messengers of loved ones that are near, and for me that is such a great comfort.

Magical birds too, because they are seen flying with faeries in folklore, which in nature adds to their mystery at the coming Winter Solstice.

I'm so glad you picked up on all these examples of the Robin and glad you enjoyed reading.

Thank you for letting me know.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

I enjoyed reading about the robin and its message of hope. I haven't seen any this year. Only magpies and those big grey ones that I can't remember the name of. 

 

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so happy you enjoyed reading my robin poem. I can't think what that big grey bird is, apart from a wood pigeon, but then I'm sure you know what they look like.

Robin's love meal worms because they're easy to digest. We have one that comes down and bathes in the stone bird bath. They can be quite private birds, but the one in our garden gets inquisitive when I sit quietly in the garden and don't move, it will hop between the shrubs and trees, fly off, then come back. 

Anyway thank you for reading and commenting. I hope you do get a visit from this little red breasted bird. 

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Mark Heathcote on

Elegant and lovely read thanks for sharing with us.

Mark Heathcote

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

thank you for your kind comment. I really like elegant and lovely.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Mark Heathcote on

 

Mark Heathcote

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