Who knew the anhinga could be a beautiful bird, but through the artistic eyes of Michelle Kogan, it is. I love this painting she sent me for the Summer Poetry Swap (organized by Tabatha Yeats). And she wrote a poem dispelling the myth that this is a “devil bird.”
ANHINGA
Devil bird–
Michelle Kogan (c) 2019
Not I, look in my
lichen-like
eyes. I’ll wait
while wings dry, for kindness to
cleanse rumors and lies.
Kindness cleanses me with this wonderful poem. We look at nature and can see ugliness or beauty. We can find danger or kindness. Michelle reminds me that rumors and lies are not real; they are on the surface. When we look deeper, we find beauty and kindness. It’s there.
Thanks, Michelle, for this wonderful gift of art and poetry. Check out her work here: www.michellekogan.com, www.moreart4all.wordpress.com, www.MichelleKoganFineArt.etsy.com.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love the idea that kindness will “cleanse rumors and lies.” I also love “lichen-like eyes”! Michelle created such a beautiful gift of art and poetry that resonates with a timely message for all of us. Once again, I’m regretting my decision not to participate this summer…sigh…
I love anhingas! Watching them drying their wings is always a treat. I didn’t know they were called ‘devil birds.” What a cool painting and poem!
What a beautiful gift of poetry and painting you received, Margaret. Thank you for sharing Michelle’s gift with us.
Thanks for sharing my summer poetry swap Margaret! The idea for the painting grew out of the image you sent to me a few years ago of a tree filled with lichen in your area. I’ve never been to the bayou but it seems to have magical qualities to me filled with back story in those waters–”When we look deeper.” I hope to visit some time.
What a wonderful poem…and so perfect for today’s climate. Young and older can both grasp the literal and figurative meaning here. Devil bird. Poor thing.
I always enjoy Michelle’s art. She inspires me.
I love Michelle’s art and her invitation to re-look at something, to see it with new eyes. What a wonderful gift, Margaret.
We call them a darter – and I’ve never heard them called a devil bird. How awful. They might be clumsy, but not that! Michelle’s poem is lovely – and her artwork so cute! And just the perfect gift for you!
What a beautiful painting and poem. I love the thought of kindness cleansing rumors and lies.
So much to love about this painting and poem from Michelle. What a beautiful gift!
I confess I’ve never heard of anhingas. Michelle’s illustration and poem made me curious. Their coloring makes them quite striking. I agree, “…for kindness to
cleanse rumors and lies” is a profound truth. Thank you for sharing your lovely gift with us!
That painting is just spectacular! Like Catherine Flynn, I had never heard of anhingas before today, although this one reminds me of the vultures we see around here sometimes.
Margaret, I love this beautiful gift Michelle sent you. Michelle added her inspirational thought that is really a truth about life:
I’ll wait
while wings dry, for kindness to
cleanse rumors and lies.
We all must look below the surface to be free of negativity.