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 