a bird and a boy

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gregory Richard Barden.

one day as a boy I went down to the sea
      clambered o'er rocks way out to the bluff
         stopping to search in a tide pool for shells
   senses awakened by strong briny smells
warming, the zephyr was gentle enough
      yawning in promise the sun winked at me

   descending a crag and reaching the shore
I found my prized seat there on an old log
      wriggling my toes to delve deep, the sand
         pledging the treasure of shells in my hand
   that sunlight and wind would scatter the fog
and thawing, I took off the sweatshirt I wore

         'twas then that I spotted a bird, scarlet red
   a Card’nal, and male with exquisite feather
perched on a snow fence abutting the dunes
      greeting the day with the saddest of tunes
         below in the grasses ringed by the heather
   lay one female Cardinal … silenced and dead

      I stayed there all day observing that sight
         the male with a canticle pleading his mate
   a sorrow and agony poured from that bird
as mournful a song as these ears ever heard
      I stayed there 'til dusk, the sun bowing late
         and still he continued deep into the night

I went back each morning to hear that bird sing
      thus crooning all day for his dear love to rise
         the rest of the summer and even years hence
   with endless devotion he trilled on that fence
and tho' one sad spring he departed the skies
      I watched evermore for red birds on the wing

         well ...

   I'm old now and weary but here's an odd thing:
when winter relents and the warm mistrals bring
      a breeze with bouquets of hopes for the spring
         as I'm biding the dark arm of slumber to cling

         though it's often dismissed
   I so swear through the mist
‘midst the eve, heaven-kissed
         that I still …
      hear …
   him …
sing.


~ for Walt Whitman ~

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A comment has not been posted for this poem. Encourage a poet by being the first to comment.