White-crowned Sparrow of Fortitude

Flying together for the common good...

When ill winds blow around Spring songs 

we fly to others with notes on winged prayers... 

clear whistles, sliding downward in a melancholy 

phrase as "I'm tired" or "oh dear me" adding 

a trill at the end of a difficult day.  

Birds symbolizing joy and protection 

a simplicity of community

very Brave and unafraid... 

we face a spirit of working together 

for the common good... 

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

In times like these, we really do have to help our neighbors and check on our friends. Sometimes a kind word can make someone else's day. Your poetry always has the beauty of nature (and especially of birds) going through the lines. So lovely....so compassionate. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

Lydi dear... your wings are always a flutter with cheerful notes of encouragement. May your Nest always be safe from harm. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Working together for the common good. We can all play a part. A time where we must protect the elderly and most vulnerable and wrap them in a warm embrace. Birds symbolising joy and protection. We must flock together as do our avian friends. Always love your poetry Pat with its links to the natural environment and the world's creatures. Keep safe dear poet. All the best to you and yours.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... I feel that age 90 is definitely
elderly. There was LADY who was taking dialysis where my husband is taking dialysis for three years now. The Lady turned 90 yrs old and six months later passed peaceably in her sleep. Now we worry about the CoronaVirus. We must be prepared if we are vulnerable. I think of songs I want played at my Service. One would be "Morning has broken like the first morning... and so forth. I like the Idea of a Celebration of someone's Life. We need not dress in Black, unless you choose to do so. I would choose perhaps a deep Rose, or even Yellow in Summer. In the meantime, we will do our best to survive.
In the midst of people passing... Buds are blooming and leaves are the lightest green with tiny leaves with little veins sprouting in the sunshine and rain.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad. Thanks for your review Chris. Be safe and be blessed. With love, Pat

[Fran Marie]

you speak words of
wisdom within your
lovely verse...".oh
dear me. im tired"
speaks for us all here
yet we carry on and lend
a helping hand of kindness
let's hope the springtime
winds sing a happier tune
and harmonize with the joyful
song of our fine feather friends
the birds..they seem to know
no sorrow and fly above it all

lovely poem here

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Fran... I love the way you say that the birds sing a joyful song and fly above the worry of the Virus. It is a surreal shock that this tragedy is spreading so quickly. I feel sorry for the children and young people to feel sad to perhaps loose their grandparents and loved ones with compromised immune systems. It is a time for Caring and sharing.
with love, Pat

[barleygirl]

Birds! -- a great analogy for living in community, yet also separated by space! I know people miss touch, but I'm seeing a ton of increased communication on social media, which is much more open & connected than the typical postings of daily blah-blah-blah which nobody responds to (how it was before being sequestered). I kinda like the new normal, but then I didn't get to go out before, either! Love how you use the "sound" ideas to subtly suggest calling out to friends, even if togetherness seems to be off-limits (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Margie... our life is so surreal since we have the CoronaVirus. Six feet apart from the Cashier at the Pharmacy or grocery store. Staples like Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Ritz vegetable Crackers are a luxury... (reminds me of Heidi with the Grandfather in the Alps of Switzerland where in the remote Cabin in the Alps they thrived on Goats milk and Cheese with home-made bread. Perhaps, you, Margie need a Goat or two, on your Mountain side (a lot of touching to milk the Goat{s}. lol. busy churning to make the cheese. Being 'sequestered' is like serving Jury Duty... what's to Judge except the Party's or "parties"
when mingling is not advised... if you are Wise. Well, enough of this chatter. Hope I brought a Smile to your 'neck of the woods'. gently, Pat

[barleygirl]

Shopping online is kinda like I imagine gambling might feel . . . one minute I have what I want in my shopping cart, but if I don't get a move on, things will run out before I check out! *wink! wink!* I really have no complaints myself, but it's pretty amazing how fast-spreading & widespread this has gone! Glad you're doing well!

[Patricia Wedel]

Hi Margie.. this Virus is like a 1920 Science Fiction Horror Movie, but I was not yet born.
I cannot believe it is really happening, but it is. Still we need to Cheer other people whenever we can. With love, Pat

[Moonie]

This is such a beautiful message, dear Pat!
In times like these, we have to remember to check up on our loved ones, like the birds that visit the homes they love, despite all odds of weather.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear fairest... yes... yesterday I saw a Blue Jay and perhaps a Chickadee (black and white) outside our large kitchen Window that overlooks an old Deck with a Wide railing where I scatter small seeds and oiled sunflower seeds daily. We are blessed to see up close the Beauties of the Sky. Bright Red Cardinals and the pale grey and brown female Cardinals teach their young to eat the seeds in our deck. I scatter shelled peanuts at the end of the long deck to divert the attention of the squirrels 🐿 squirrels and often Ravens will fly away with peanuts in their beak. Where do they take them... heaven knows perhaps to their Cafe. Thank you for your all inspiring Review. Be safe as this Saga unfolds. With love and admiration. truly, Pat

[Moonie]

The sidenote about the squirrel and raven cafe strangely sounds very interesting! :))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear fairest... by the way the peanuts are in their shell... mostly the Ravens fly away with them (to the Cafe is purely poetic) so not so strange... but still I wonder where they store them. Usually the squirrels will sit on the wide railing and break the shell and nibble away on the railing. I suppose our home is their Cafe. Hope they do not carry germs of the Virus... always a "Catch 22". truly, Pat

[Moonie]

No, I meant the poetic idea of them having a cafe of their own is so interesting. I have little cousins, and they often enjoy such stories about anthromorphic animals, and earlier I used to make up stories about talking plants and animals to get them to have their lunch. They've grown up now, so now they just read their little books, or watch kids movies, and I miss making up those silly stories for them.

[Moonie]

This sounded like a good idea for a tale. I saw the squirrel and the raven running their cafe so clearly in my mind :))..... I'm rambling too much :))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear fairest... yes, telling stories to little children is
precious, especially ages two to three, when their imagination is the best. Very clever of you to think of "The Raven and the Squirrel Cafe" with treats.
Even the name is unique. Some wealthy people might even name their Estate with an elegant sign, such as "Raven and Squirrel Estate". Poetic thoughts are all encompassing. Sunflower Seed Cookies would be a best seller at the Cafe. Our Squirrels and Ravens love to also devour oiled sunflower seeds.
It is getting to be expensive, but very entertaining.
My best wishes and Be Safe. truly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

such a treat ..so well said Pat ... your "bird" metaphors and personifications are always inspiring .. thrilling in the trilling ;) i would most likely never thought of birds as creatures to symbolize protection ... nor sparrows as brave and unafraid .. but they are ... all them now so fearlessly and furiously building a future ... their industry and architectural skills par none ... all done with small things .. twigs, strings, grasses, pine needles .. all cast off ... made into a safe warm place for new life ... your poem really inspires me this morning, Pat ...thanks so much for sharing!
E.
ps. your closing of course is so relevant and true .. not a time for selfish rebellion on the one hand nor fearful locking away on the other ...

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest E... an angel touched me at six am in Virginia and said... “Mr. E in the Ozarks has left you a message that lights the breaking of day with colors of sunrise serenity as we dress for duty on the somber horizon of uncertainty. Birds in feathered fashions fluff their wings and sing along with a gentle wind of possibility. It is a pleasure to discover your words of encouragement as another day may be closer to Eternity for some who have underlying conditions. Every day is a Miracle with Spring blossoms of Faith, hope and charity. with love and best wishes, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

yes yes yes .. love your uplifting my friend ... back at ya one hundred fold! :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear E... we go forth as soldiers in the Battle-front where medical nurses in Dialysis don their masks 🎭 Masks and wear surgical gloves to protect each other as patients also wear masks for four hours or so (three days a week) if not eligible for a transplant).. there is no cure. My husband Roger is in the company of Angels as I wait in our Truck and have access to WiFi so freely available from the Tower close by. I can take a walk, but not too far. No one is allowed in the facility except doctors and nurses and staff and of course the patients. Mary Washington Hospital is up on a Hill close to dialysis in Fredericksburg, Virginia... where the Rappahannock River runs through. Be safe and Believe in destiny. Gently, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhh Pat! sending up my hopes and prayers for you and Roger right now .. Dialysis always a risk .. even more so during highly contagious covid 19 .. sounds like the facility is acting wisely ... hmmmmmmm destiny ..... never much thought of life like that ... too wrapped up in moment to moment now that i can (retired) ;) destiny come what may eh!? .... i think just the name of your river alone sings with melody and power .. and angels are everywhere .. i believe it ... they are everywhere! :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes... Gene... Angels hover above the Rapids of the Rappahannock where Eagles rest on Branches and fly with prayers to Mountain Tops 🦅 where miracles begin to
resonate at heavens Gate. Amen gently, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we need to flock together now even if we have to fly six feet apart.
it's the spirit that must come together.
pertinent write for the times...nicely allegorical.

j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... thanks for flying by with encouragement. As ever, Pat

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Folks... we help each other as ill winds blow...
offering food and Water from a mountain stream of
goodwill and support in the coming days. truly, Pat