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Heraldry of a Summer Migrant

With return to summer tree of berries red -
   he flashes ‘tween the green scene like a trinket;
      celebrant in citrus hues of sunset bled
         it matters not if twilight is delinquent

for he wears the molten shades of end-of-day  
   evening’s pout, in skies of gray, reflects dismay;
      a zesty orange-envy oriole brings
          for he torches air aflame... a flame with wings.


Susan Ashley
October 5, 2020

(June 7, 2020)


Rispetto lyric rhyme scheme: abab ccdd


Poet’s note: I am lucky enough to have these beautiful summer migrants, Baltimore orioles, return to my mulberry tree and hummingbird feeders each Spring. Such a sweet joy through the summer season! When they depart at the end of August, a piece of my heart goes with them.

Copyright © Susan Ashley | Year Posted 2020

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John Hamilton Date: 10/30/2020 8:15:00 AM This is such a delight to read Susan, I didn't know who or what it was about, so thick with rich imagery I wasn't sure if it was metaphorical or not, after reading the last lines it all makes sense. Orioles and Cardinals are my fave birds, oh and of course the Blue jays, have to support Torontos team! Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/30/2020 3:57:00 PM I love the Blue Jays, too, John.. but the feathered kind.. lol! I'm a Red Sox fan! :)) I'm happy to see you proudly supporting Toronto's team though! But we agree that Orioles and Cardinals are our fave birds! Thank you for the delight of your wonderful visit and for the pleasure of your beautiful comments. Warmest wishes always my inspiring friend.. ~Sue

John Watt Date: 10/18/2020 12:12:00 AM Do you live near Baltimore? I don't know how widespread the Baltimore Orioles are, but I have never seen one. Except maybe for Cal Ripken (just kidding). The pictures I've seen show them to be such an attractive bird, and perfectly colored for October. Loved the line "celebrant in citrus hues of sunset bled", also the flame with wings ending. Delightful from start to finish, you paint the evening sky with such originality, my dear friend ~ John Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/30/2020 3:59:00 PM haha!.. Cal Ripken.. :)) Your endearing humor is ever appreciated, my witty friend... Susan Ashley Date: 10/19/2020 7:48:00 PM Hello my friend! I live on the rustic South Coast of Massachusetts. The Baltimore Orioles summer, mate and raise their young here each year. We have a family or two every season in our back yard and they are spectacular birds, beautiful in both color and song! I am delighted with your insightful and vibrant comments, John. I am as lucky to have a poetry friend in you as I am to have Orioles summering in my yard. Thank you for sharing your lovely spirit with my, dear poet. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/16/2020 8:22:00 PM oh I adore that trinket line. For that alone, a fave,but I loved the whole piece. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/17/2020 7:19:00 AM Thank you Andrea, for your uplifting comments and for the honor of your fave. I find the 'trinket' line to be special too - I love it when a line like that materializes :) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paul Callus Date: 10/15/2020 8:17:00 AM This is such a delightful poem, Susan, mirroring the beauty of the oriole. Alas we do not get many birds on our island, and even the robins seem to be late coming this year. ~ Warm regards & hugs, my friend // paul Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/15/2020 9:17:00 AM Yes, I absolutely love to see the summer migrants return in their full glory every Spring, Paul. They are a beautiful sight to behold and to listen to, for they have such a sweet song as well. They are not easy to attract, but once you do, families return and I am always ready with fresh nectar in my feeders to greet them! And of course, my mulberry tree is ripe for the picking too :)) Thank you for finding the delight in this poem, my dear friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Mark Massey Date: 10/11/2020 4:50:00 AM Such colorful energy in this piece Susan. Well done. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/11/2020 8:06:00 PM Mark, thank you for your wonderful comments. Both your kind words and your visit are appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf Date: 10/7/2020 5:37:00 PM All I can say is that this is enchanted write is not for the birds. ~ Rockin' Robin Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/8/2020 1:26:00 PM Lol! Thank God for that! Your gracious visit and reassuring comments are truly appreciated, Gershon. Warmest wishes, Rockin’ Robin! :)) ~Susan

Joseph May Date: 10/6/2020 6:03:00 PM So lovely the sunset of a bird ablaze in flight, Splendid write Susan.. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/7/2020 9:40:00 AM Joseph, it's a pleasure to hear from you. Your lovely visit and gracious comments are truly appreciated. Thank you! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 10/6/2020 10:58:00 AM What a magic poem Susan - its splendor is outstanding and the overall theme and scene of the poem is interwoven with sheer talent. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/7/2020 9:45:00 AM Thank you, Jennifer, for gracing my poem with your shining presence. Your wonderful comments reflect a heart full of kindness. I am both honored and humbled by your lovely thoughts, dear poetess. Your genuine poetic gift and friendship is ever appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley Date: 10/6/2020 4:45:00 AM She danced into magnificent moonlight. Her eyes gleaming stars and desirous treasure. To him salvation and a heavenly sight. Love, hope and beauty given in full measure..... As always your poetry gifts its inspiration and its great beauty too. A fav.. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/6/2020 7:45:00 AM My dear friend, your inspired response adds such a brilliant facet to my poem. Thank you for sharing the gift of your imagination, heart and pen with my poetry. You are a gifted poet, Robert, and I deeply appreciate the verse you share. The honor of your fav is cherished, as well. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Nette Onclaud Date: 10/5/2020 3:36:00 PM an avian splendor of a poem, susan... i love orioles and the way you create the scene is truly remarkable... huggs Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/6/2020 7:35:00 AM Nette, I'm heartened to know we share a love for orioles. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, dear poetess. You and your talented pen are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/5/2020 11:05:00 AM Oh, I miss the Orioles! I didn’t see any this year... doubly appreciative of this little poem. xomo Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/5/2020 11:17:00 AM Awww Pidge, I knew you would truly appreciate this poem, my fellow bird lover. I’m sorry you missed the orioles this year, Mo, but I’m glad my poem brought them closer to your heart. Warmest wishes, my lovely friend.. ~Susan <3

Tom Cunningham Date: 10/5/2020 10:22:00 AM Beautiful imagery Susan, summer passes so quickly before you know it, it's autumn and those birds fly off to warmer climates, but rest assured they will return. Tom Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/5/2020 11:22:00 AM Thank you, Tom, for you reassurance. Your wonderful comments reflect a heart shining with kindness. Both your kind heart and genuine friendship are appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Besma Riabi Dziri Date: 10/5/2020 9:45:00 AM A heart that pulsates to so generous a Nature! Your poetic nature vibrates in love with so wonderful creatures! I feel the beauty.. I read your profound affinity for summer migrants.. wonderfully and eloquently displayed! An immense pleasure to read your exquisite poetry, dearest Susan! My warmest wishes. Regards and blessings. Love and hugs. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/5/2020 10:16:00 AM Oh, my sweet soul sister, how I love Nature's spirit so beautifully represented in my gardens all year long. Yet, I especially rejoice every Spring when the migrants, (the orioles and hummingbirds among many others) return to grace the skies and boughs and humming bird feeders with colors, wonder and song! They add much value to my summer days, such as your wondrous words add much value to the heart of my poem, and to the heart of this appreciative poetess. Thank you, dear Besma, for the pleasure your golden presence bestows upon my humble soul. Warmest wishes, love and hugs always.. ~Susan

Silent One Date: 10/5/2020 9:20:00 AM Always love you vocabulary and how you put words together that create that perfect imagery in your poem.. this is wonderful. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/5/2020 9:30:00 AM Silent One, you always know how to make my day! Thank you for your encouraging comments, my friend, and for being the first to leave your precious thoughts :)) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan