Long Goldfinches Poems

An Excelente Balade of Charitie (“An Excellent Ballad of Charity”)
by Thomas Chatterton, age 17
modernization/translation by Michael R. Burch

As wroten bie the goode Prieste
Thomas Rowley 1464

In Virgynë the swelt'ring sun grew keen,
Then hot upon the meadows...

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We love to walk in the morning…we know our walk is not complete
unless we walk the way the native Americans did…
as if we’re kissing the Earth with our feet.

At home we walk to the ocean…at...

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The sun casting
a honey glaze
over the landscape
caressing the cool morning
hues of blue
to brilliant greens
deep and rich in tone


A scent of earthy musk
filling my lungs - 
my chest heaving for
the pleasing effects
that grace such beauty
this mid-August...

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Written: January 26, 2025
                               ...

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Nibbles McCheesy was ever so speedy
And scampering all round the house
Trojan the tabby was getting quite crabby
For failing to capture that mouse

That cowardy custard could not cut the mustard
The mouse was too slippery for he
In...

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Extolling spring, oh, the robins are singing,
Lauding red-maple, bluebirds are frolicking,
There trills a cardinal fervent in courtship
Where on dogwood soulmate is gawking
And joining the symphony goldfinches fly in
Peeking from redbud, clad in blossoms pink, 
Reveling...

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HAIKU & TWO SENRYU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


white sky... low the clouds
winter... stuck in a drift again
spring... where are you...
~~~
the bobbin dipper flies
below our secret rivers
spring... summer delight
~~~
ring ouzel... moorland
high craggy tors... upland moors
birding adventure
~~~
the avocet
fenland treasure... coastal dream
no...

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as natures music fills the early morning woodland,
i feel its rapturous intent, to add movement to life.
the tiny Jenny wren, a virtuoso, powerful its song!
nature composes rhapsodies, all life begs for more.

i feel its rapturous...

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It's early, as I enjoy my coffee this morning
Birds are chirping, as I hear a blue jays warning 
I look outside and see a young red breasted robin
He's Jumping and dancing, his head’s busy bobbin

Goldfinches...

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Days are lengthening with spring. Winter's thaw has awaken the earth. The rebirth cycle begins in my backyard. Bird feeders are full. Goldfinches adorned in their brighter yellow feathers of spring, happily feeding on seed....

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PARTENZA REPRESA
POETRY
-
THE BIRDS IN MY GARDEN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The birds in my garden, seasons decide.
Seasons decide. Hardened species abide,
Species abide, like sparrows, all seasons.
All seasons why? My alarm, good reasons.

A Robbin, probably more, who can tell?
More, who can...

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I’m thankful for the whispering winds and the gentle rain
And the absent sun on dark days, knowing it will be out again
The moonlit skies at night with twinkling stars shining bright
The change of the seasons...

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Summer skies are colorful delights
As fireflies light up our warm nights
The full moon shines clear and bright
A relaxing, peaceful and serene sight

Goldfinches, and nuthatches are out
Happily eating seeds and dancing about
As crows and hawks circle...

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Primavera  Comes

Lightly she descends--
 her feet move toward us,
over the crest of the Vermont hills.

In her footsteps  
spring vernal pools;
in her hair are golden 
willow twigs,
tangled goldfinches
with black-barred wings 
fluttering.

As she passes,
her breath...

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Down in the meadow, bees are buzzing away
cows laze about, after feeding all day
Wildflowers attract butterflies, in pastel arrays
lapping up nectar, in the warm sunny rays 

Down in the meadow, lambs frolic and play
ladybirds climb...

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Whenever I’m able I raid the bird table
I snap up some mealworms and go
The nearby house owner a bad tempered moaner
Berates me because I’m a crow

That snotty Rob Robin just sits there bob bobbing 
And...

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THIS CHATTERING OF FLOCKS

the birds are back, that’s good, the weather
is changing and I am bird-people, feathers
are my hair…look, sparrows chipping and fox,
ever-present raven with his peculiar pops
looks on, calls mate, assumes sentry position
woodwind chimes...

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Mexican Petunia purple blossoms in the garden
Invite butterflies to visit and drink their rich pollen.
Herb's crushed scent lingers from gathering for dishes starred-in  

Maximilian sunflowers' brown seeds stand out and are starred-in
Goldfinches' meals served...

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From my kitchen window
I can pass a pleasant while.
Callers to my bird table
They always make me smile.

Crowds of busy sparrows
Make an early morning call.
Then appears the robin,
He likes to boss them all.

Raucous squabbling starlings,
Noisy, loud...

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Sunshine warms the ground and melts the snow,
as colors of Spring start to glow.

Purple crocus buds peek above wet snow
as sprigs of fresh green grass sprout,
ground robins swiftly prance.

Bright Songbirds cheerily welcome Spring,
with their melodic...

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Feathers amongst fallen leaves
Spring plumage drops from the sky
Blue Jays in cobalt feathers
Proudly perched near drab fall hues

Goldfinches in olive green
Camouflaged on sparse branches
Raptors hungry and hunting
Autumn feathers masked from sight

Cardinals perched on red fronds
Their...

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