I am
always surprised
when I
come upon
the
bird sanctuary,
for it
seems to rise
from
the trail
– out of
the blue –
as, all
at once,
the
sounds of the city
are
replaced in a birdsong,
of
twitters and chirps
and
occasional quacks.
And so,
I try not to disturb,
their
little haven,
and
wend lightly
along
the meandering path,
as all
cares fall away.
From time to time,
as I
float, on my invisible wings
in
mystic spirit breezes
I chance,
momentarily,
to hear
the sound of children
whispering
to the birds.
That is
the most tender, gentle sound . . .
I think
. . . that I have ever heard.
note: the prompt for Poetry Jam this week is “The
Unexpected”.
photo: The Bird Sanctuary at Burnaby Lake: Canada Goose and Goslings – W. Bourke
© 2014 Wendy
Bourke
ha. i think it is as well...really a tender piece
ReplyDeletei love children...and i think they see things much different
than us...maybe they even understand the birds...
maybe we forget...but what a surprise on that path...
What a lovely piece this is. Wonderful description of something unexpectedly encountered.
ReplyDeleteOne hears them with their melodious sounds. An orchestra naturally coordinated. The children's shrieks make it complete! Wonderful write Wendy!
ReplyDeleteHank
Oh, it would be wonderful to see such a sanctuary, Wendy. There really is something quite special about young birds, I think. In spring I often walk around a small lake where I see mother ducks with their ducklings. This makes my heart sing. Your poem is also a reminder to take a look at what one sees along the path of life.
ReplyDeleteNature in the heart of a city is always a rare find. I used to live in a town that had a nature reserve next to the train station, a little sanctuary for people to enjoy. Thanks for reminding me of such places.
ReplyDeleteA nice surprise, to watch the children observing the birds, and hear all the questions they come up with
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Wednesday
Much love...
the words seem to rise out of a reservoir of peace and the surprise at the end is beautifully pleasant...
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice surprise...birdsong replacing city sounds. And your close is a surprise as well...at least it was to me. Birds and children...a lovely melody. And congratulations on those publications!! You so deserve it! Beaming with big smiles here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer. The Ontario Poetry Society has been an incredibly positive experience for me and, from what I understand from their website, membership is now open to the US.
DeleteThe warm soothing nature's hug:)
ReplyDeleteso sweet..loved your poem a lot..nothing to replace nature..and children's innocence..:)
ReplyDeleteI especially love "I float, on my invisible wings
ReplyDeletein mystic spirit breezes" - makes me want to visit our local bird sanctuary......
Wendy, so lovely. It is wonderful to find those slices of nature. We had goslings when my boys were teens and they were absolutely smitten with the babies, it was so cute. Your photo is absolutely delightful, too. Thank you for the reminder of that time :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.... I love the last line...
ReplyDeleteWe have a bird sanctuary near the water where I live--I often take my dog on the trail next to it, so I can see and hear this slice of life--every time I read one of your pieces I am struck but its depth--same here Wendy--Happy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteLovely tender piece that really creates a tranquil feeling, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh, how wonderful to be able to capture moments like this!
ReplyDeleteLovely, serene and gentle, Wendy. A pleasure to read.
ReplyDelete…to hear the sound of children
ReplyDeletewhispering to the birds
There you are again - so finely tuned to nature, children, and the whole world around you!
Lovely words, Wendy! Now I want to visit that sanctuary!
ReplyDelete