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Chimney Swift

My precious chimney swift Envy alone Has named you so mundane Tethered to the slightest pause Amid your life upon the wing Describing you as drab Cigar shaped And flying like a bat While within me Your beauty burns And I thank you so for that For from my human complications The conditions of my sin You do so delightfully Delightfully distract.

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Duke Beaufort

Date: 4/4/2025 8:31:00 AM

Maureen, Thank you for directing me here. This does, in fact, indicate your connection to nature and all things good. They are not doing well and I understand your concerns. How they go will determine our fate too. You are flying with them!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 4/5/2025 6:08:00 AM

Thank you for taking the time. This poem’s over 20yrs old and is still quintessentially me. Sharpening my wings presently… saw Pussy Riot performance last night, with everything going on right now I hope to borrow some of their bravery. Poetry hugs, xomo

Ricky Muse

Date: 12/6/2023 6:17:00 PM

Excellent poem. Congratulations on your placement in the latest anthology. All the best...................peace!

Anonomus Scorpio

Date: 2/21/2023 4:25:00 PM

I love poking around your past works this is so sweet and endearing what a wonderful side of you <3! Warmly A.S.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 2/22/2023 6:53:00 AM

…this is still my favourite of anything I have written. Though I don’t know if it’s for the words or the event for which it was written.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 2/22/2023 6:33:00 AM

Thank you dear Scorpio. I admit, I bawl every spring with my first sightings of swifts, and swallows. I saw a Northern Harrier this morning, which is both amazing and saddening, they’re not supposed to be here now, displaced by the Ohio train explosion (I’m in Ontario). xomo

Ultimate Spectator

Date: 4/7/2022 12:12:00 PM

Wow there's a lot to learn from you how simplistic yet vivid , nicely written buddy.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 4/9/2022 9:03:00 AM

Thank you muchly! This one still burns, if I am remembered for anything by anyone long after I am gone I can only hope it’s for this piece, and that swifts still exist. xomo

Quoth Theraven

Date: 1/13/2021 2:23:00 PM

Maureen, There is something very special in the birds and poems you create. Part of a greater good perhaps? -Richard

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 1/15/2021 6:58:00 AM

I believe beauty needs an audience, birds in particular, demand it. Thank you Richard. xomo

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/4/2020 9:31:00 AM

As always your imagery impeccable, uniquely you, dear Mo! Glad to investigate your first token here on PS!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 7/5/2020 6:44:00 AM

Thank you Lovely! This one still my favourite. These are the days the swifts twinkle overhead, i look for them every evening, just a fhalf dozen or so of them making their rounds, filling me with awe~ I love them so much. xomo!

Anil Deo

Date: 5/30/2020 7:31:00 AM

My visit, makes that 433rd hit, going back in time, before U thought rhyme, ought to be pithy; U loved birds, always, happily (no biggie, that S word; S I N. ask Jesus)

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 7/5/2020 6:40:00 AM

D.W. Rodgers

Date: 5/25/2020 9:17:00 AM

I had to go back to your first entry and loved it.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 5/25/2020 9:28:00 AM

Thank you so much D.W.! I think this is my favourite that I have written. xomo

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/22/2020 1:50:00 PM

Hello Maureen, very nicely done. Enjoy your day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/24/2020 9:24:00 AM

Hello Maureen, I think we all have a fav. we have written. I know that I do. Enjoy your day my friend. Enjoy your day my friend. xxx-ooo.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 5/22/2020 4:52:00 PM

Thank you my friend. I think this is my favourite piece that I have ever written. Have a lovely evening, xomo

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/22/2020 4:50:00 PM

Glad to revisit. A charming poem, Maureen.

Aniruddha Pathak

Date: 2/1/2020 11:09:00 PM

Loving one's soul within is crucial, for that is what you are. Excellent write dear poet. What drew me to your poem were the words: Chimney Swift. The name of my residence for the last few months is: Chimney House, near a chimney tower, a historical place of the British era.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 2/4/2020 7:25:00 AM

Then doubtless you have swifts! Thank you Aniruddha, poetry hugs, xomo!

Jeff Connelly

Date: 10/7/2019 5:43:00 PM

Maureen I know where you're at on this poem. Swift's have always been my favorite bird. They come out at dusk eating all the insects. One moment of memory sticks in my mind heavily, was when I was in Hania, Greece on Crete. I had just parted with a friend who was going back to Germany. I stayed in Hania for several days. Had a room overlooking the port, and with my food from the local market and wine, I would sit out as the sunset and watch the swifts and swallows. Ah what memories.

Jeff Connelly
Date: 10/8/2019 9:39:00 AM

I know how you love birds. I too have a great love, but I found that my spirit animal is any kind of deer (elk; moose eh, antelope, and such.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/8/2019 7:04:00 AM

The aeronautic masters have me spellbound. I wrote The Swallows about being in the midst of a feeding mixed flock, tree, cliff and barn swallows and chimney swifts, passing within inches. And then there's falcons... be still my beating heart.

Jan Allison

Date: 10/1/2019 4:47:00 PM

So wonderful to see a trophy awarded to you mo, many congratulations on your win :-) hugs Jan xx

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/2/2019 8:05:00 AM

Thank you Jan! Hugs <3 xomo!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/1/2019 2:41:00 PM

Big congrats on your trophy win. I see the formula was heart-felt! It's great that you put so much love into this first post of yours at soup.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/2/2019 7:27:00 AM

Thank you Andrea! This piece is so close to my heart... and feeling it was my very best, it was the one I felt best suited my debut here; the most me. ;), To receive this honour is um indescribable, it's visceral. Hugs! xomo

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 10/1/2019 1:23:00 PM

How wonderful this poem is Mo! It is very deserving of the Trophy! Congratulations! xxoo

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/2/2019 7:20:00 AM

Thank you Connie! :))) xomo!

Brenda Chiri

Date: 10/1/2019 1:56:00 AM

Congrats Mo!;)

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:36:00 AM

Thank you Brenda! <3 xomo!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/1/2019 12:53:00 AM

Trophy worthy for sure Maureen. Congratulations. Tom

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:34:00 AM

Thank you Tom, Hugs! xomo

Beata Agustin

Date: 10/1/2019 12:15:00 AM

Wow! Congrats. Thanks for sharing your talent. God bless you.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:34:00 AM

Thank you Beata! Bless you :) xomo

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 9/30/2019 8:48:00 PM

Wonderful poem and so happy for your honored win. Congratulations and God bless you

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:32:00 AM

Thank you Regina! Bless you :) xomo

Bobby May

Date: 9/30/2019 5:05:00 PM

congratulations, WOW!! Maureen!!! One out of 35, awesome!!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:30:00 AM

I'm stunned! Thank you Bobby :))) xomo!

Constance La France

Date: 9/30/2019 5:00:00 PM

Maureen, a big congratulations on your win in Tania's contest with this first and only place, a beautiful write and deserving of a trophy win.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:29:00 AM

Thank you so much Constance. <3 xomo

Line Gauthier

Date: 9/30/2019 4:55:00 PM

Congrats, Maureen. This is indeed a perfect love poem. Finally your very first post obtains the recognition is well deserves.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:27:00 AM

Thank you so much Line. It is my favourite, and I feel my best. xomo <3

Tania Kitchin

Date: 9/30/2019 4:50:00 PM

Maureen, congratulations on your trophy win. I love this poem, I read it several times and each time I was captivated by it!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:22:00 AM

Oh Wow, thank you Tania! I'm thrilled, and honoured that you love it so. This piece is so close to my heart. It is a moment in my life that is seared into my memory, and this poem the door, one of my highest highs during my lowest of lows. Hugs!!! xomo

Silent One

Date: 3/3/2019 3:12:00 PM

I thought I would go and read your first post.. Interesting use of metaphor...

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 10/1/2019 8:14:00 AM

Arthur Vaso

Date: 9/28/2018 1:50:00 AM

I am working backwards tonight, and what a nice beautiful poem!!!!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 9/28/2018 6:22:00 AM

Aw thank you Arthur. This one is my favourite. xomo