Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Dead-Winged Blackbirds, A Symphony



Dead-Winged Blackbirds: A Symphony
By Marion for Magpie Tales 48

Red-Winged Blackbirds
fallen from the sky,
everyone guessing
none knowing why---

Red-Winged Blackbirds
falling like rain,
some say it’s normal,
I think it’s insane---

Red-Winged Blackbirds
never again to sing--
I’ll mourn your silence
With my tears, come Spring.

Dead-Winged Blackbirds
never to fly
back into their ocean
Of lapis blue sky---

~1/11/11


Inspired by the Beatles song, "Blackbird", and sadly, the mysterious death of thousands of Red-Winged Blackbirds recently...


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"A skylark wounded in the wing,
A Cherubim does cease to sing." ~Walt Whitman

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23 comments:

Kristen Haskell said...

A questioning poem, it was irrestible to me. That was tragic and I agree it was insane to me also. Your blog on the otherhand is a lovely place to visit.

Bubba said...

Touching words, Marion, and a timely message.

I think this could also apply to all the oil-blackened wings of the waterfowl from that big oil spill down there.

(Plus I'm a Beatles fan, so your inspiration there worked doubly-well for me)

Deborah said...

A poignant and beautifully written poem about such a strange and sad thing that happened.

Fireblossom said...

Wut??? What happened to the blackbirds? I hadn't heard. That breaks my heart, because I LOVE red-winged blackbirds and always have. They make me think of country afternoons.

I like the song you created, Marion, but I am distressed to hear about the poor birds.

* said...

The Beatles have been on my mind this past week, coincidence!

Love this, Marion, and the ending,
"Of lapis blue sky."

Wine and Words said...

I love that song. Had no idea the birds were mysteriously dying. How sad :(

Love you
annie

Serena said...

I think the mystery of the fallen birds has been on everyone's minds, so how fitting that you've paid them this tribute. And how eerily apropros the song is.

Sioux Roslawski said...

"lapis blue sky..." A brilliant image

Woman in a Window said...

Heard about that, Marion. Wasn't that due to fireworks provocation? I just don't know what we're doing to this world.

I'm always excited when you post your own. Hoping there's cause for celebration next time. I'm with Theresa, loving that last line especially.

xo
erin

Anonymous said...

Marion,

A beautiful, poignant and caring
poem.

Raven

Maggie said...

How beautiful and sad.

I'm a bird lover. They (the experts) say it's not that rare for masses of birds to die.

Sad.

quid said...

Timely. This phenomenon scared a lot of people. I couldn't believe it when scientists said this happens all the time, but the emergence of the internet and twitter make these events much more "public".

Lovely reference to the Beatles (they're smiling up there somewhere). I didn't get to comment on the previous post, but it is always good to see your toes!

Ha!

Love,

quid

Tess Kincaid said...

Beautiful tribute to the mysterious loss. I love your lapis skies.

Other Mary said...

Very creative combination of this current happening and the Magpie prompt!

Cad said...

That Beatles song is one of my favourites.

Helen said...

You linked the sad death of those many beautiful birds to Willow's photo prompt ~ perfectly.

izzy said...

They are one of my favorite birds! what do you suppose is causing them to die ?
thanks for this piece.

Kelly said...

I love this! ...and I'm not buying some of those "explanations" for the dead birds.

Tumblewords: said...

Love this piece - it speaks to the now in such a superb fashion.

Jinksy said...

Lapis blue sky sings to me! lol

Andreas said...

Beautiful poem. Blackbirds are meant to sing. I agree, it's insane. I'm from Sweden and it happened there too. They weren't blackbirds, though, but jackdaws, I think.

Literalia said...

In a world of unpredictable future, things like this happen. Rain of birds, new opportunities to change our inexorable fate. It seems necessary to spend to make decisions.
Warm greetings:
Arturo

Lydia said...

Marvelous, the way you worked the sorrow of the loss of the blackbirds into this magpie prompt. Indeed, the loss of their music is cause for tears come spring. They so deserve this tribute of yours.

(As I read/wrote here Jewel's song came on your player. I love her and hadn't heard this angel song before. It seemed fitting while thinking about the blackbirds...)