The Wilderness Quail

They named me the wilderness quail
I'm not as pretty as other birds are,
my feathers are golden, brown and frail;
I hide when a storm starts and my bizarre
behavior becomes fret, no stone pine
can protect me on a noon with aflare
lightenings crossing the semi-dark atmosphere.

Uncommon and ignored by all I spent 
my day searching for food by a lake and wait...
until an unsuspicious lavaret comes afloat,
sometimes he stays at the bottom for fear
and I have to fly miles to provide a meal
for my chicks waiting in the branches of a fir:
I'll be disappointed coming home without a kill!

Although I'm so neglected by all the blue-winged teals,
I consider myself to be humble and kind in deeds:
helping a lost sparrow find her desperate mother 
who is searching for him everywhere near a pond,
or a brook where reptiles attentively wait for their prey;
I'll hide him under my wings if he's ever in danger! 

By now everybody can guess where this place is:
I dwell in Southern Italy, a land that many envy
for her stunning scenery and delicious fruits,
where no vigilant quail ever goes hungry!
Keep me company and I show you the beauity
and the tranquility of this lovely country!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Allison Avatar
August 4, 2020 at 3:58 PM
what a wonderful bird you have personified, i have learned something new from your descriptive poem, many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
Dietrich Avatar
August 4, 2020 at 3:47 PM
YOur style is wonderful, Andrew. Do you remember when I first appeared very early in year 2010? I remember you were one of the very first poets I was drawn to as I read big contest winners from that time. Congrats here with your quail poem.
Mishra Avatar
August 2, 2020 at 4:21 AM
This wilderness quail is surely a beautiful angel in disguise Andrew. Congratulations on your win!
Kitchin Avatar
August 1, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Andrew, congratulations on your winning placement, nice personification and imagery!
Devonshire Avatar
July 23, 2020 at 2:00 PM
Thank you for introducing us to the "Wilderness Quail," Andrew. It's a pity he feels neglected; I don't judge birds by the color of their wings. Also enjoyed the way you describe his quest to find food for his hatchlings. Best wishes in the contest! Hugs, Carolyn
Crisci Avatar
July 23, 2020 at 5:16 PM
Greetings to you, Carolyn. I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I thank you for commenting on my poem. It's a poem I wrote today and it' s based on my chilhood memories of Southern Italy in the region of Campania that the Romans called Campana Felix or Terra Felix which means the happy land. You can see from my description that it is so true. I have appreciated your kind comment and I am so glad to have returned to Poetry Soup and share my poems with you. Have, a wonderful evening, be well and stay safe. Warmest Regards, Andrew.
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