They skim across the barren gray-cast sky,
these avians returning to their home—
a hundred count amassed in broken vee,
no risk of snow to hurry them along.
Sporadic now the calls heard overhead—
without the urgent threat of winter storm,
as instinct draws them northward-bound again
to nest once more, to find their breeding ground.
Another sign of warmer days to come
this ritual predating dawn of man…
we watch as silhouettes fade out of sight
content in knowing springtime has begun.
© Ginny Brannan 2014
Read here of their "Southbound" plight!
Inspired by Meeting the Bar: Rhythm and Blank Verse, shared by Tony Maude. Written too late to share there. Sharing today at dVerse Open Link Night!
Read here of their "Southbound" plight!
Inspired by Meeting the Bar: Rhythm and Blank Verse, shared by Tony Maude. Written too late to share there. Sharing today at dVerse Open Link Night!
its nice to see the squadrons of birds swooping in...knowing soon their song will fill the air...and it will def be warmer...happy spring to you
ReplyDeletetagged you in...
DeleteRan in from errands, linked in…and then saw this! You may want to delete one of the links, if you can! Much appreciated Brian, sorry for duplicating!
Deleteyeah - it's good to see them flying back, ready to build nests and soon their little ones will chirp... a bit of spring magic...
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love it when I see them flying north. It has been such a long time. It is always a wonderful sign of spring when this spring ritual appears in the sky.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully vivid. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, sights like this certainly make me fee hopeful for warmer days to come! A wonderfully descriptive and elegant poem.
ReplyDeleteits when they fly for warmth that the sky gets its morning stars, amazing sight and a well represented emotion :)
ReplyDeleteUp here in the Northwest of WA, we have not seen the Spring migration flocks yet, but your lovely words, your passionate portent prepares the way for the honking, squawking, chirping, singing, & breeding soon to come.
ReplyDeleteThat wonderful time of year when the birds return :) Murmurations and flocks, Spring!
ReplyDeleteOur feathered friends adventing Spring - beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
I do enjoy the view as they fly in formation ..another sign of warmer days to come.
ReplyDeleteI love to see Spring returning in Earth AND air :) Blessings and a Beautiful Poem!
ReplyDeleteI too like the sight of the migrating birds in spring and the life cycle they evoke.
ReplyDeletewild geese have been visiting the cove for the last few weeks - love to see them spring and fall - and we have really needed these signs of spring this year! wonderful - K
ReplyDeleteWe live near a swamp, and they've been flying in by the hundreds this week... I always love the raucous party they have when they all reunite. A lovely poem!
ReplyDeleteOh I really enjoy the blank-verse here .. like the heavy wings of geese - a smooth flow. Returning birds is a sure sign of spring.
ReplyDeleteStrong evocation of Spring in a lyrical flow, Ginny - a pleasure to read... With Best Wishes Scott www.scotthastie.com
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful capture, Ginny. Birds always amaze me.
ReplyDeleteThe hope of spring! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFlying back
ReplyDeleteNo snow to give flack
Just the ease of spring
Is what they bring
I love your poem. One of my favorite sights is those birds in their V flight.
ReplyDeleteThey make quite a statement and you described the feelings they evoke so well.
ReplyDeleteHopeful sound of honking and thrilling sight of the "vee" welcomes spring and lifts our spirits... your beautiful flowing free verse captured it well!
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful sight to see them flying together
ReplyDeleteon their wings comes spring...beautifully captivated..
ReplyDeleteLove the photo and the words. Happy spring, Ginny.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully crafted. Nice poem.
ReplyDeleteWe have a pond nearby - and sometimes at night I hear them flying by and I always wonder what drives them on at such a late hour.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of those moments
Am curious as to what rhymes you are seeing in "Coming Home?" The older one linked about geese flying "Southbound" that was written in Fall, yes, that one rhymes. But am not sure how you are seeing the rhymes in "Coming Home." Maybe a sort of "slant rhyme between "home" and "along?" Maybe I'm too close to the writing, I don't see it. Please point out what I'm not seeing. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh but Ginny so much much more than the perfect blank verse - the slant rhymes, the alliteration, the assonance, the echoes much like the geese themselves that reverberate throughout the poem. This is very good work - skilled and time invested. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteThose closing lines are really lovely!
ReplyDeleteJust loved this, especially since they made there way through here yesterday early morning when I was walking the dogs! Looked exactly like that, flying northwest!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of what's to come!
ReplyDeleteThey made a pit stop in my pond the other night. I didn't think of it until I read this, but maybe spring is on the way.
ReplyDeleteLovely poem!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for your fun contributions to this week's Limerick-Off!
Madeleine Begun Kane
Ginny,
ReplyDeleteYou've picked out one of my very favorite sights--the Canada Geese coming back. Such a feel of spring in this, so opposed to the feeling one get watching them leave, in the same formation, in late fall. Now if they would only stay away from the golf courses....! As always, gracefully and artfully done.
Steve K.