Victor Buhagiar Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

The Flight of the Gander

Autumn arrived early that day
Along a hint of frost, though it did not rain.
The geese were restless, gaggling earnestly.
Something was utterly wrong.

Near the edge of the lake, one goose was dead.
Its mate uttered a dirge, a low, pitiful sound.  
Snow began to fall, and geese were restless.
Suddenly, the leader flapped its wings. 
Up they flew in V formation heading south.
Only the surviving male stayed for some time.
Soon, the dead goose was covered in snow.  
Then the gander flew alone towards the warmth.

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Evelyn Judy Buehler February 26, 2026 at 3:21 PM Your poignant verse is tinged with sadness and the hope for tomorrow. Nicely written, Victor. :)

Paige Hind February 24, 2026 at 11:38 PM Wow. Very heartbreaking. I could envision the snow covering his mate.

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh February 24, 2026 at 9:56 PM The ways of nature.Very nicely penned. Like the picture .

Andrea Dietrich February 24, 2026 at 2:28 PM Ohhh so sad. Some animals really do mourn in their own way. I really like this one

Yann Rolland February 23, 2026 at 4:13 PM so touching poem, goose give examples of endurance, enjoyed

Jan Allison February 23, 2026 at 2:29 PM Your touching poem shows that Mother nature can be so cruel Victor, I love to see the geese fly in formation. hugs Jan xx

Ink Empress February 23, 2026 at 9:09 AM How you always paint imagery is so very impressive and so moving dear victor! I love the flow and depth of what youv conveyed here so eloquently! Especially the ending and the lines "Snow began to fall, and geese were restless." its almost like as if i can see through your words woven here! Absolute pleasure reading you today! Sending you light always

Daniel Henry Rodgers February 23, 2026 at 7:53 AM Dear Victor, what a quiet, solemn moment in nature, the kind of scene most people never witness, yet you render it with clarity and compassion. A beautifully restrained and moving vignette, my friend. Warm blessings, Victor, Daniel

Joseph May February 23, 2026 at 6:26 AM Mourning the loss of its mate, then moving on as it must

Valsa George February 23, 2026 at 5:51 AM When a bird raises a dirge or a cry of warning, I have seen all other birds fly in that direction and congregate. I have noticed it more among crows. A very graphic description of birds in moments of urgency. I feel sorry for the gander. A beautiful poem dear Victor.

Kim Rodrigues February 23, 2026 at 5:45 AM Love the tile and oh how sad the dirge, the stay, the liftoff (all alone). Well done, my friend…

Heidi Sands February 23, 2026 at 5:31 AM A sad truthful piece of nature. Well written. I felt like I was there :)

Tom Cunningham February 23, 2026 at 4:21 AM Love to see them in V formation as they fly south,wishing I could join them. Quite a sad story but nature is like that, happiness and heartbreak. Tom

Sara Kendrick February 23, 2026 at 4:13 AM Written from a person who knows about nature. Thank you for sharing, Victor. They mate for life and will grieve when their mate dies. Wild geese are only seen from the air here as they fly either north or south with the exception of a flock that has made our area their home. I don't know how that happened, but they are here and have been for maybe at least 5 years. Sara K

Ghairo Daniels February 23, 2026 at 2:27 AM Beautiful poetic account, Victor. Powerful simple imagery filled with nature’s dominance. You’ve woven many ideas into an impactful vignette. Well done, Sir Poet. Sending warmth.