Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, thirsty and
fighting for dominance, coming in for a landing
wings, whirring little cyclone, flying jewels...
The fastest ones eat first...
Summer's reward, measured in sugar water.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CONJURING by Hilda Morley
Finding the names of birds here,
of flowers, important, I say I must
know them, name them,
to be able
to call upon where their magic
resides for me: in naming them
myself - to lay hold upon whatever
quivers inside the bird-calls,
the dipping
of tail or wing -
to know it
inside my hand where power
of that sort lives
& in my fingers
wakes & becomes
an act of
language.
Finding the names of birds here,
of flowers, important, I say I must
know them, name them,
to be able
to call upon where their magic
resides for me: in naming them
myself - to lay hold upon whatever
quivers inside the bird-calls,
the dipping
of tail or wing -
to know it
inside my hand where power
of that sort lives
& in my fingers
wakes & becomes
an act of
language.
3 comments:
Great hummingbird photos! They can be such vicious little things to be so beautiful! I find the female Cardinals are especially mean, also. Hmmm.. makes me wonder if I'm ever like that about my food!! :D
indeed, nature heals!
"to lay hold upon whatever
quivers inside the bird-calls"
always coming at the ineffable from without. always trying to touch the thing beyond form.
Yes, Erin...nature heals and goes on, regardless of the wounds inflicted by humans. Words & poetry heal, too...they're a soothing salve to every wound. Thanks for stopping by. I was reading a poem by Li-Young Lee that you sent me years ago just yesterday. Healing, beautiful, soothing words... xo
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