image from Forestry Commission remote camera
Sole survivor of three,
robust and full of life,
the fledgling flaps in a frenzy
almost falling, rehearsal for flight.
Wayward chance had brought
these strange sublime creatures
to settle in Kielder forest
on a rough ball of sticks.
Stately sire swoops over the lake
seeking a fish to bring.
Successful, he watches nearby
as his offspring attacks the gift.
Such parental care
breeds inexorable progress,
pre-ordained departure
and the nest once more is bare.
When I read the Early Words from Brenda, I was flummoxed. So it was with delight that I fastened on my daughter’s suggestion this morning to write about the progress and winding down of the Ospreywatch in Northumberland. I wrote a poem The Kielder Gypsy a couple of years ago during the first osprey watch, but as I have submitted it to a competition, I can’t post it here.
I changed channel to lake for the sake of truth, so this is the one word I haven’t used.
Viv, you did a beautiful job with the words.
Pamela
excellent, loved it all; use of words, sound, flow, thoughts…very nice
Lovely nature poem, Viv. I didn’t even notice the wordle words.
I’ve watched the same osprey couple return year after year to a webcam location in Scotland, so I know the thrill of seeing their young grow and take to wing. It’s exciting, and your poem nicely illustrates that wonder. Well done, Viv.
Viv, this is a lovely telling of nature. I have red tail hawk and American falcons in my area. Before the trees grew I could see these large birds resting on the power line poles. I think falcons may roost in some of the tall oak in an older part of my neighborhood. While we don’t get to see the chicks, I have watched a few web cams of hawk or eagle that have set up shop on some high city buildings.
Yes Ma’am you are quite correct. I’ve two story verse series A and B and eventually might tie them together. This week the words lent themselves better to A than B. I added to B last week. The wordles are helping me built a nice little story. Thanks for your visit.
I have watched red tailed hawks for many years now and find them mesmerising. I have held falcons and became forever enslaved to the large birds. I even like wild turkeys… sometimes and find vultures and buzzards fascinating. I had better stop now. I keep stopping to remember birds.
Love this image:
the fledgling flaps in a frenzy
almost falling, rehearsal for flight
m
I think you already know I’m a sucker for the larger birds of prey. And I found your hubby’s embroidered image alongside your poem, just a few days ago and was once again fascinated. Love what you did Viv, even more so that you got your inspiration from your daughter. That only emphasizes the parental care of that final stanza. Wonderfully done,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/after/
Thank you, Elizabeth. I too find birds of prey a fascinating chain of connections in the ecosystems.
Vivid and such a beautiful capture, Viv… and you used to hate wordles? You’ve come so far.
I used to fear them, but now I look forward every week to Brenda’s earlyword emails.
…and the early BIRD gets the grade A poem!! Well done — I absolutely loved this, ViV. My dad instilled in me a love of birds. He would have enjoyed this poem. *hugs*
Beautfully done, one of my favorites.
And so human..we care and they leave!! Is that where empty nest syndrome comes from!
Excellent write, Viv. Hurray for Sally’s ideas! We are in a motel, and I did not pen a piece yet this week, but thought I’d look at a few. Glad I did. Birds are fascinating—they get a great deal less time with their young than we do (thank goodness for us!). The image of nests as “rough balls of sticks,” is super. Osprey build their nests on the top of poles, and that’s just what I see.
Isn’t it lovely to be able to watch these beautiful birds in the wild and doing what comes naturally. Lovely wordle Viv
My heart skipped a beat at the end. Pain and what is natural. Nicely penned.
Nice analogy of parenting in the last stanza, Viv.
Great work Mum. Technically the osprey flapping in the photo is from Kielder nest 2 where there are 2 surviving chicks but I’ll forgive you your poetic license. Sally
Phew! I was worried I might have boobed! Thank you, Sally