Poetry Friday round-up is with Christie at Wondering and Wandering
Last week I discovered a challenge from today’s hostess, Christie Wyman, to write a bird themed poem. Just so happened I had attended a poetry reading of Bird Forgiveness by Melinda Palacio of New Orleans. Then I was reading Diane Mayr’s blogpost about a Library of Congress photography show in Los Angeles. She wrote a note to me to check out the featured photograph for “Not an Ostrich.” Diane had seen a Facebook video I had posted of my friend’s goose, who absolutely must be a floradora goose like the one pictured. Diane also challenged us poets to write about a chosen LOC photo. So I am combining all of these things, Bird Forgiveness, bird themed poetry, and poetry about Library of Congress photos, to bring you this poem.
Not an Ostrich: ‘Floradora goose.’ Actress Isla Bevan holds a goose at the 41st annual Poultry Show, Madison Square Garden, 1930. Unknown photographer.
Precious Things
All things precious, except for this bird, end up buried in a box.
Melinda Palacio from Bird ForgivenessWhat things are precious?
When a photograph is precious, it is saved
under glass, preserved in a museum,
admired for ages.When an egg is precious, it is removed
by expert hands, gently taken to a lab,
buried with sacred ceremony.Except for this bird.
This bird is named, released
to roam the farm, adorned in fancy feathers,
posed as if fine lacefrom a precious box.
–Margaret Simon, (c) 2018
Reflections on the Teche 
Very clever the way you wove all the pieces together to create your own piece of art. I like it!
Ah, yes! I remembered the curly feathered bird when I saw this one. Well done. I’ve combined the two challenges today also.
I love it! The goose does strike me as lace, but animated lace with attitude!
I love the story, and your ‘fine lace’ is apt. I didn’t see the video, so this is a new goose to me. Those feathers are amazing.
That’s a real bird? I was actually thinking it was crafted – until I read your final verse. (That may be why the actress is giving off definite don’t-touch vibes.)
Love!!!
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Definitely a bird with an attitude–never saw one with feathers like that. Your poem captures it all–good match Margaret.
Some preciousness stays at home, a little bit underfoot and a little bit unexpected! Nice, Margaret.
Once again you’ve woven all the threads together intricately to create a beautiful poem—sort of like making lace! This goose is delightful–those feathers!
A goose in couture, how fabulous! I love all this melding of past and present.
What an amazing looking goose. It reminds me of the art deco period with its fancy feathers. Your poem is finely woven together reminding me of what it is that we count as precious in life.
So much serendipity in all these bird things happening at once! Thanks for the poem! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
OH, yes….there is attitude in that bird. LOL. I had very similar thoughts to you and ran with the bird AND LOC photo ideas. Great minds? Birthday twins? Fun at any rate. I do like how the idea of precious items are “inside the box.” What an idea to explore with this out of the box photo.
Lovely!
I love this image and how you have woven elements into your poem! Thanks for sharing
You have found a kind of golden goose in the Library of Congress archives, with this curly feathered one, Margaret. And it’s not even a dance image 🙂 So glad you are flying high with the theme, woven by Christine & using Diane’s idea, too.
That is some goose! And some poem to weave together all those elements so seamlessly.
What an image! I’ve never seen such a goose. I love her name, and the “fine lace” she’s adorned in.