On the last day of the March Slice of Life Challenge, walk with me. Listen to the birds. Take a minute to just be here.
This month of Slicing has been a way for me to be present. Present to my thoughts. Present to the words of others.
One of my favorite photographers is my writing critique group partner, fellow SOL blogger, Molly Hogan in Maine. I cannot imagine how she gets such amazing photos of birds. She must be so still and patient. Her latest batch on Facebook are shots of bluebirds. This one she posted looks like a cartoon character.
Consider writing a small poem in response to this photo in the comments or on your blog (link in the comments). Leave encouraging comments to other writers.
an aubade to the trees and sky,
gentle as your hand
on my sleeping shoulder.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, I’m so glad you shared your morning bird song and I love the softness of the final two lines of your poem. Thanks for using my pic. I’ve been so buoyed recently by these visiting bluebirds. It’s a real treat for me to have them here. Here’s my quick response:
Bluebird Morning
Who can resist
a smile and the lift
of a morning
lit with bluebirds?
Love “lit with bluebirds.” Thanks for the photo.
Agree! “lit with bluebirds” is magical.
Lovely picture, Molly! And yes, who can resist a smile with bluebirds around?
Such a wonderful photo, Molly! There’s nothing like birds to light up a morning!
Molly, great photo and poem! I can’t resist their lift. Your “lit with bluebirds” is a wow.
Margaret, I keep thankfully stumbling upon your “this photo wants to be a poem” posts. I have got to get these in my rhythm of reading and writing. So fun….
In the tree I spot him,
deep blue,
rust tie accent.
Feathers disheveled,
he waits
for the end of
the cold,
the white.
For a moment,
I look at him,
he at me,
and we both hope
for warmer tomorrows.
I love your description of rust tie accent. And the connection in the looking at each other. Thanks for joining. If you subscribe to my blog, you can get it by email. I’ll be posting one each Wednesday, and building a community of writers is my goal.
Beautiful description!
Yes, disheveled is the perfect word! Love your description!
Yes! I’d like some warmer tomorrows too!
Love the connection made with the morning chill. And the disheveled feathers!
Cathy, your words have entranced me, especially “rust tie accent.”
It’s a good thing your photo deserves a poem keeps coming even as the SOL Challenge comes to an end, Your image, sounds and words warm my heart this morning,
Beautiful bluebird.
Your loft in contrast to
the melancholy some may find
in your blueness.
You lift me
up.
I agree, bluebirds lift us up.
Bluebirds are like jewels! They sparkle and lift us.
Beautiful. Bluebirds lift me up, too, in fact all animals do.
I love bluebirds and couldn’t resist this invitation.
His song welcomes morning,
sends thanks for food, friends,
and this bright spring day.
Uplifting and refreshing as spring itself.
they are a bright spot, aren’t they? I can’t help but gasp with delight when I see one.
Rose, I love how you have wrote about the meaning of a bluebird’s song. Beautiful.
The photo and your poem are exquisite, reminders to dig into the present.
Beak, feather and claw
We sit and watch
Beak, feather and claw
We find the right moment to take flight
Love the repetition and that last line. Thanks for writing with us today.
I love how your poem is the bluebird’s point of view. Through my window I can see how they “sit and watch” waiting for their turn at my beef lard feeder.
You’ve heard of the bluebird of happiness
but that puts a lot of pressure on me.
Today I feel like the bluebird of grumpiness,
and yet still
I have to pose for pictures.
(I know we’re not supposed to ascribe human emotions to birds and animals, but really, doesn’t he look like a grouch?! 🙂 )
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
This is so funny. I think it gives us permission to be grumpy once in a while.
Ruth, your sense of humor always cracks me up. I told my sister that I was pretty sure he was fed up with me taking nonstop photos! lol
Yes! That bird has a tude!
Ruth, LOL! He does look grumpy from being cold in Maine. I love your whole poem, especially “I have to pose for pictures.”
I love your aubade, Margaret!
I love this pic! So funny…I think that bird has a bit of attitude. And, Margaret…you personified it as aubade. Lovely.
I just got home from a long, long driver from Florida and am in that twitchy–too-much–coffee–too–long–sitting mode. This was fun.
Tell Me What Molly’s CameraCaught Without Using its Name
Of happiness
Over the white cliffs of Dover
Eastern
Mountain
Good luck
Messenger
On my shoulder
Over the rainbow, fly
love the riddle!! perfect
Linda, you are so clever after a long drive from Florida.
Love this!
I always feel so privileged to be in the presence of birds. Your poem, image, and sound capture the magic.
Fluffed feathers
warm windpipes
that trill in
morning
dew
Beautiful imagery and alliteration.
I adore bluebirds, you know…this little guy looks quite edgy!
You would be ruffled, too
If the wind swept all your blue
-that’s all I’ve got at the moment, Margaret!
I get it. I hope we can both find some blue soon.
Fran, he does look like he’s waiting for spring. I love your “ruffled” and “wind swept all your blue.”
Margaret, your imagery and comparisons are beautiful creating a soft morning mood. Since I was a child I have loved bluebirds! They love the beef lard we put out for them. Once the insects start flying I barely see them, though. All winter I’ve wanted to write about bluebirds, but I only wrote one short poem. After I saw Molly’s photo and your invitation, it was difficult to stop writing poems and to choose one. Thank you to Molly and you for the inspiration.
winter and spring
sapphire suited bird
joy
Gail Aldous draft