We had a cold front pass through the night. The air became damp and cold. As I arrived home from a rather blustery carpool line, I stopped short of the carport because something bright red caught my eye. Was it because of the cold that the cardinal, fluffed up and still, stayed at the feeder? I quickly rolled the window down and shot a picture. Some people believe the red bird is the sign of a loved one who has passed. Monday was the 18th anniversary of my father-in-law’s death. My mother-in-law reminded me. I’m sad to think I forgot. Maybe the cardinal was his way of saying it was OK.
The red bird waits,
wonders how to be light
on a dark afternoon–I whisper,
Margaret Simon, draft
just stay.
I will be traveling today to Los Angeles for the NCTE conference. Will I see you there? Please leave a small poem in the comments and support others with encouraging words.
Oh, that beautiful red!
Shall I eat?
Am I hungry?
Or shall I simply stand
and bring red
into the day’s
palette?
Carol Coven Grannick, Draft
Yes, that red, cardinal red lipstick just grabbed me but my pen wanted to write about something else. I think that the beauty of seeing that luscious red bird could dampen hunger pains any day!! Entranced as we watch and wait. I like how you have the questions in your poem, Carol.
Love hearing what the bird is thinking!
Thanks, Rose—and I love pondering what all the non-human life may be thinking!
Carol Coven Grannick, “into the day’s palette” is a lovely way to end your poem.
Margaret: Thanks for this photo and poem, which I love, especially the last 2 lines. Yes, for some reason the cardinal speaks to me that way also, and I often whistle his song and get response. Lovely!
Carol: Love all the S sounds… shall I simply stand
So here is my offering:
Fluttering spark
Bright, warm, cheery
This one scarlet spark
Soothes my day
Best to all, Karen
Ah Karen, it just takes one small moment to make us grateful and soothed and happy if we just take the time to look, to reflect, to practice mindful gratitude for these gifts. How lovely your poem to bring us there.
Karen, it is a gift to be soothed by nature. Your poem captures this thought.
“One scarlet spark” – *sigh*
Thanks, Karen. I loved your image of a ‘fluttering spark’ is wonderful, Karen! And how true it is that one spark can ‘soothe’ the day!
Enjoy NCTE, Margaret. I hope to go next year, God willing.
Here is a draft that flew in today. A bit long but wanted to post.
Blood on the Snow
I bought 2 cardinals
last week, ceramic and small.
They reminded me of my mother,
how she liked to watch them
from her chair by the sliding door.
The flashing red brightened her heart.
They rested in low bushes,
beacons against the green,
in the backyard of the house my father built
with his music, for her. For us.
Their rich color like my father’s heart
brilliant and true, the one
that wore out too soon, but never
the love he felt for her. For us.
The cardinal reminds me to remember.
For Margaret and your touching poem. I am sure he meant it to tell you it was ok. You remember him, love his son and all the grands and gr grands and that is what matters, right? I love your last two lines. We always just want the loved ones to stay, at least they do stay in our hearts. Thank God for that.
I’m glad the cardinal spoke to you in such a comforting way, Janet.
Janet F., legend has it that the cardinal can bring back memories of a loved one. Your poem is of tender love. Your poem recollects memories that are dear to you. I love the title.
Beautiful!Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
I wrote this haiku while in an examing room waiting for the doctor this morning. Not that it is relevant in any way, but a reminder that poetry can happen anywhere.
a splash of color
at the feeder this gray day
harbinger of hope
Enjoy NCTE, Margaret!
Rose, I like that you introduce color into your poem in a terse way. Yes, the cardinal is a harbinger of hope-good use of alliteration.
Margaret, thank you for capturing that great photo of the cardinal. It is amazing how beautifully the cardinal rests, not flustered by your photo shoot moment. My poem will be shared as an image poem on my blog for Poetry Friday. The text is below:
dressed in royal red
a perched bird stares ahead
undaunted by cold
cardinal’s message unfolds
season of joy-hope for all
©CV, 2022
Enjoy the convention. I wish I was joining you but California is far away. Have a wonderful trip.
I’m disappointed I won’t see you in person. Your poem is a harbinger for the holidays, dressed in royal red.
Thanks for replying to my poem, Margaret. I know you must be enjoying yourself at NCTE. Maybe I will be able to join our poet’s group next year.