Curlews

Mary Colwell at http://www.curlewmedia.com/ is doing some extraordinary work to highlight the current plight of this wonderful bird. Please share what she has to say

"...What other sound could be like this?

Which other note could trespass on
to where the likes of tears are formed?

What else speaks so well
of wilderness, of loneliness?

Which alternate voice could manifest
this desolate deliverance? 

Such trifling themes as life and death
are kept in Curlew's calls..."

Author's Note

We , like Curlews, will always feed on the margins of the everyday.....
If my voice could be anything like theirs...if only....I would swallow my share of lug-worms to know their truths....

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

This transported me to the many wild and beautiful remote places I have passed time in the wild places of Scotland. The birds are communicating by their calls but somehow they speak so much more to us of our own thoughts and memories. Your poem has expressed this beautifully Alistair.
Cheers,
Alan

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you kindly,Alan, they are wonderful birds indeed, with such evocative calls, and sadly- like many other species- are in decline.If you get a chance, have a look at the link above. Mary Colwell has written a wonderful book on the subject which realizes both the plight and the wonder of this beautiful bird and land and soul-scapes it inhabits.
Thank you kindly, and enjoy those birds!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Thank you so much for this lovely poem and very interesting information I have never heard of Curlews my friend. Mary Colwell’s website that you reference is so beautiful and informative. I found that they are named after the bow-moon shape of their bill- and their call is so haunting- “Which other note could trespass on to where the likes of tears are formed?”- yes. They are similar to our Cranes and Herons I think. Sadly, they are endangered and need protection. You and Mary give them voice. Bless you.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you kindly Annette- and a massive thanks, for checking out Mary's website.We read so much about wildlife being in peril that it is becoming normalized.It is only when a crisis effects us directly that we seem to wake up a bit. We are punching huge holes in the Eco-system and we need to do something about it.
I have a little wild patch of greenery outside with both egg and food plants for the butterfly cycle- it was very easy to do- I just didn't mow that particular area! I would encourage folk to do the same.If everyone does just a little bit- there will always be hope.

[April Blue]

Nicely done, I loved each line.. It held my attention the the very end.. Thank you for sharing..

[Alistair (Ali)]

and thank you for taking your time to read and comment, that is much appreciated. Much warmth to you.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Wow such poetic musing questions. Sublime poetry indeed. Life and death as trifling eh. Kudos.


Soo nice to read from u again, Pleez do write your thoughts under my newest poem too.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Thank you kindly- I have been dealing with those trifling themes, of late, and I promise to return with a sun-filled head.
Thank you my friend.