A Scarlet letter from a Reckless lover

 

He said he would love me for every nesting season 

I had no reason to doubt his every song... 

Flying together through many storms... 

He always stayed away from the Brothels.  

Then one day he flew to town to buy seed 

at the local Double Bar where Sally Mae  

wore red feathers and garters with diamonds... 

He never made it home and a Pigeon brought me 

a Scarlet letter that read... I have been wed to 

Sally Mae, and we are nesting in the straw and hay 

for all our days... so when that Scarlet Tanager comes 

flying by... you might invite him to stay overnight... 

  

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

I'm smiling here.....birds do it, bees do it.....everyone has broken hearts! At least the birds can hide the letter "A" on their heads with their colorful feathers! In the animal kingdom, there are few species that mate for life. Very different sort of write. I enjoyed it. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... I suppose... later in life.. we can be imaginative and creative with a tear and a smile..
and all the while grow into a flower blooming by the sea of life. We learn what it means to have a broken heart, and so we share a bit of it each day with friends and poetry. Thank you for being you. gently, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Such a wonderful metaphor for all humans. I love the way you constructed it and every word has meaning. Your imagination is so way out there and you come up with these dreamy poems that I absolutely love....every word!!! Fondly, Betty

[Dave Brown]

fortunately, we have no Scarlet Tanagers in our area and have not been exposed to such shocking behavior
Even my little furry companion, snuggled by my side, looked up in shock when I read this piece to him
Really!
Some birds!!

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Dave... poor puppy... hope he or she has recovered. Birds are mischievous and can fly away at a moments notice... they usually return to familiar branches with a very unlikely Story... their feathers rumbled with tired Beaks from so much pecking... but home is where you find the tried and true... when the Storm subsides. tenderly, Pat

[Dave Brown]

He's recovered, wiser now !

[Patricia Wedel]

Raisen Pups is tedious... not too much too fast. He will be taking you for Walks soon ... Enjoy the nice weather.. As we must prepare for Winter soon. gently, Pat

[Dave Brown]

: ))

[Neville]

Sally Mae has got a bloomin lot to answer for ... but those scarlet tanagers are something else aren't they Pat .. in fact I think they are now re-classified and are now part of the cardinal family .. warmly yours, Neville :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Nev... there are times when excitement overpowers commitment... but true loves lies in the nesting where chirps are heard and fledglings take over your heart... and there are worms and berries to fetch for prosperity. It is a choice with a voice. truly, Pat

[Neville]

... and dont we just know it eh' Pat .. chirps are cheap as chips and a smile costs nufink, does it :)

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes, Nev... a smile is free and berries are our best food. Tonic water with Quinine is a bubbly treat and keeps your body immune from the Virus. Until the days become weeks and months... then we will know what is what in many Venues.. Keep well and safe. Ever so fondly, Pat

[Neville]

......... :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Oh you cannot trust men nor those 'pretty little birds'. A forlorn offering of a strayed fledgling as nature takes its course!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... Birds have their "flight of fancy" when
out and about. It is difficult to trust a person who has extra flying time... birds must be tempted much more than we are, since they have predetermined
flying time. Stay Cool and Well defined. gently, Pat

[Lorry]

... And now that they are gone, we can't but notice the space they used to be and how hollow and empty it feels now, where once its comfort brought warmth.
Such a sad and oft repeated recipe... Bird meets bird, bird meets other bird and first bird is left to scavenge but her memories as love takes flight.
Will we ever learn? Love is for the birds 😀

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lorry... love your Take on this poem. I have been watching a lot of Westerns and so it influenced my inspiration. My favorite Western is called “Frenchie” with
Shelly Winters and Joel McCrea ..
I love her humor in this Movie and also her
“Tenacity”. Thank you for your Candor when reviewing my poem. gently, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha ..the Tanager ..scarlet man w***e says i! ;) the audacity to ask for an invite :) your Voice is distinct always .. the personifications are crisp and clean ... and the turn of Mr. Tanager as he heads for the Seed Bar .. is delightful .. nice one as always Pat. thanks for sharing!
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Gene... I know in the "animal kingdom"...
they will 'fight' for their love... especially horses.
My poem is interpreted on many levels... fascinating.
Thanks for your endearing review. tenderly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

yes ... the dominant male must fight for it and to keep it ... the animal Kingdom is no utopia is it?! .. love your poem .. Tanagers are all about our forests here in the Ozarks :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Gene... if you have Tanagers in the Forests of the Ozarks, then that would be the Best Utopia .. to create such colors ... surely there must have been and there must be an Artist 👩‍🎨 of Great Renown. Thank you for the affection that you bestow upon my Poem. tenderly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .......................

[Chris Shaw]

Oh the Sally Mae's have been the. cause of many a broken heart, putting temptation into the way of a man's ego. Broken promises can hurt so much. I think of our avian friends. Swans mate for life. I also read The Scarlet Letter many years ago. Stained with shame, so everyone could see. Some can take the hurt and still blossom. Others can't. Creative and image laden poetry dear Pat filled with emotion.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... so soothing to read your words. Some people are Artists and paint feelings with words. The colors of Birds, especially Cardinals are always outside my kitchen window. They seem so grateful for the Seed and berries. They train their young to be cautious... we have much in
Common. I appreciate the blessings bestowed every day. Thank you for your gracious review. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

You are always welcome Pat and I send my fondest to you this Sunday morning.

[emmajoy]

Oh my goodness, Missus.. a different tone of voice from you!!! Even so your imagination reaches far into the great literary yonder and tells another side of your wonderful imagination's flight. Must say, having read it again, I think quite a few of those manflers adventure the globe, though most wouldn't put it in writing!

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Em... so tickled I surprised you... Cowboy boots and buckles can fool a dance hall feathered bird; however; a cowgirl ropes a cowboy in to her biudreiure and he doesn’t have Pistol to shoot her lustful desire. gently, Pat

[emmajoy]

Aha, I learn something every day, Pat.Take care, keep safe. xx

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Em... a wild rose has soft petals
sometimes the wayward wind blows and
the rose will appear again... refreshed and blessed.
May your days be spent with soft music and feathered feelings of devotion. tenderly, Pat

[emmajoy]

Thank you so much, Pat. Take care, keep safe and do pop in when you can. :)

[barleygirl]

First & foremost, this is pure awesomeness, as far as personifying birds with some of our most dire human traits! I have to say, I've never met a man (& probably plenty of women, too) that couldn't be tempted away from a steady love. That's why I've never been much of a believer in commitment. This poem has some imaginative flouncy descriptions that really give us a strong feathery glimpse into what really went down in this case! *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Margie... your plumage is colorful and mischievous .. whereby I leave my heart print on your review. I trust you are safe and have a well informed day with sunshine and sweet berries. gently, Pat