Daver Austin | + Follow Poet |
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Suddenly

SUDDENLY  

Feeding time
The picnic table is black with birds     
           the main cluster    but then    as many
             disseminate    inhabit branches    wires
                         fences
    flitting down when hunger dares
Suddenly this winter day – remembering the movie
    “Suddenly Last Summer” –
I am uncomfortably    terribly aware
The disjointed mass chorus of voices – in perpetual
    forte – are not quaint    not convivial    
                                                   not joyous
The clamor is born of desperation – each member
    I-am-the-one –
Each with a single song    constant eyes
                     ruffled feathers    and rapid pulse
The ground squirrel ceases to be cute in scurrying
    in his sneaking    in his thievery
And I bite down on my pen
Looking thoughtfully off
Suddenly ill almost

Copyright © Daver Austin | Year Posted 2011

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Debbie Guzzi Date: 2/9/2011 2:16:00 PM PLease enter this fine write in my Free Verse Contest only 2 spots left GO! Light & Love Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/15/2011 1:34:00 PM well, as you know by now, I saw your newest poem. That was a treat, Daver. Bye now. I better get off here soon. LUv, Andrea Login to Reply

Michelle Mac Donald Date: 1/12/2011 7:12:00 PM Gotta love the birds, Daver...and those sneaky squirrels.:) I don't know what happened to the grey squirrels here? Now we have loads of black ones. One man across the river from us, feeds the birds, but had killed 7 or 9 squirrels. Like they were supposed have known they'd gone to a bird only place. Food is food to them. Now we have a feeder that is squirrel proof. The birds prefer the old one. Lucky squirrels.:) Best to you, Love, Mikki Login to Reply

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 1/11/2011 9:56:00 AM Now Daver, you need to forgive the squirrels for stealing - survival instincts. But the way you describe the birds' clamor of "I-am-the-one" makes me realize man has much in common with our featuehred friends. Hope you lighten up before spring returns and can find joy in nature again. LOL Love you, Carolyn Login to Reply

Gert W. Knop Date: 1/8/2011 7:51:00 AM Your write is so pictureque! Enjoyed the read this dull winter evening! Snow is melting and it is cold and damp outside!...Take care!...Love, Gert Login to Reply

James Peranteau Date: 1/8/2011 6:51:00 AM Such a visual write Dave ! This is filled with heavy note of nature seen through an artist; as yourself ! Powerful write Sir ! much love, james Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/6/2011 1:59:00 PM Yes, I could see you meant that too, what you told me about nature. It's all very much related. There are some great classic poems that address this same interesting theme as well, and the paradoxes of nature. Login to Reply

Lauren Reindel Date: 1/5/2011 11:52:00 PM i'm loving your format, it deffintily conveys the title "suddenly" and the imagery is very beautiful. favorite part " And I bite down on my pen Looking thoughtfully off" absolutely perfection. : ) Login to Reply

Linda-Marie Sweetheart Date: 1/5/2011 7:57:00 PM Yes like Andrea commented Dave reminds me of the Birds by Alfred Hitchcock and that is a good thing as he was the master of the macabre and suspense.. quite enjoyable piece my friend.. wishing u a wonderful 2011 ...with luv.. Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 1/5/2011 5:42:00 PM Not sure what this one is about..Wondering is it about the birds that fell from the sky in masses?..Sara Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/5/2011 4:11:00 PM oh, it grows menacing like The Birds movie or that movie I saw a few years ago, dang I fogot the name of it, but all nature goes nuts. This is wonderful stuff, Daver. thanks for giving us a new poem today! and about Dale, I was 8 and he was 12 when Mom married his dad. He was killed by a drunk driver just before graduating law school. He would have loved you! andrea Login to Reply

Date: 1/5/2011 1:49:00 PM I like the use spacing to add power to your words--a style that is truly yours. Gives your writing and interesting quality. Thank you for sharing this poem with us and for your kind words on mine. Karen Login to Reply