Grasps

male mockingbird grasps
last year's bean vines in May's brisk breeze
plumage flies westward 

down to line newly made nests
harm-free, warm place to rear young 


down-in this poem means the soft under feathers(usually goose down is used but here it means the soft feathers of the mockingbird)

naturetanka

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Howard Kerr

January 31, 2026 at 10:57 PM

Sara, A monumental tanka whose quality is obvious. It has an exciting pulse that tapers off with such a charming end scene. Your review of Exile On A Whim I cherish, Howard

Sara Kendrick

February 1, 2026 at 7:40 AM

Howard, those Mockingbirds are quite a species. They really defend their territory. Thank you for the visit and taking time to read it and comment. Sara K

Phyllis Babcock

May 16, 2022 at 3:14 PM

A lovely tanka Sara. Our birds are just returning from the south but it may snow on the weekend. The trees are just in buds at the moment. love phyl

Sara Kendrick

May 17, 2022 at 3:55 AM

Phyllis, We are quite warm here but probably no warmer than May in the past. I am just older and less able to adjust to the heat or cold. I hope you have a nice and enjoyable spring in the north. Thanks for the visit. Sara

Jennifer Proxenos

May 13, 2022 at 8:58 AM

We used to live in the East of the Gauteng area for years, but sold our huge home fist built by my parents and then renovated and refurbished by us, for a tiny cute, home, which we have named, our small villa, it was time to downsize. The beautiful trees in the Bryanston Sandton areas are scattered everywhere and we have nests and a great deal of bird life around us. Loved Your pic And how you described it Sara. Hugs, blessings, Jennifer. Lovely poem my friend. Blessings, Hugs Jennifer.

Sara Kendrick

May 17, 2022 at 3:51 AM

Thank you, Jennifer. My husband and I are needing to go smaller, but it probably will never happen. He doesn't want to give up the yard, land and gardening. He says he will be very bored and unhappy. We can't have that. I appreciate you dropping by. Sara

Bill Baker

May 12, 2022 at 4:51 PM

Lovely Tanka, Sara. Our birds are building nest in our front lawn trees this year. You painted a lovely scene. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Sara Kendrick

May 17, 2022 at 3:44 AM

Bill, Texas might be too hot for those birds this year I heard on the news it was going to be 100 degrees somewhere in Texas this week. Thanks for the visit to my page. Sara