Friday, August 30, 2019

A Snugsafe Summer Memory


Hummingbird Coming In
Photo by Amy LV

Hummingbird Landing
Photo by Amy LV

Hummingbird Perching
Photo by Amy LV




Students - We have a hummingbird feeder on our front porch, and anytime we head outside, we can hear one -- ZZZZZZZZZ!  We always hear the hummingbirds before we see them, and today I decided to try to get a picture of one. Well, hummingbirds are very fast and flitty, so I had to sit still, camera poised for quite a while before one chose to drink the new nectar I'd just poured into the feeder.

Here is a video, taken just this morning. It is of the same hummingbird you see in the pictures above. I think it is funny how it is hiding behind that feeder post! Be sure to listen as it hums away into the day at video's end.


Mary Oliver, a poet I love, once wrote a poem titled The Place I Want to Get Back To, about a lovely nature memory of deer. We all have memories we can keep and revisit during dark or lonely or sad times. Part of making a life is watching and waiting carefully to beauty and then keeping it close. I will always have this hummingbird, and now, should you wish, so will you.

Consider slowing down today. Go somewhere nature lives. Sit and watch. Be open to skies and weather, bugs and birds. Listen to wind. Tuck your own memory of wild beauty somewhere where you can find it later. Writing a poem is a joyful way to keep a magnificent sight forever.

And if you ever want to make a new word by smushing two words together, go ahead. I rather like snugsafe and somewinter.

The winners of last week's generous giveaway of SCHOOL PEOPLE by Lee Bennett Hopkins are: Cheriee, Jena, Buffy, Molly, and Linda M. (I will be in touch with you for your address.) Much gratitude to Boyds Mills & Kane for this generous giveaway of one of Lee's last anthologies.

Kat is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Kathryn Apel with two new Australian verse novels and some good news.  Please know that we gather each Friday, sharing poems and poemlove, and all are always welcome.

Please share a comment below if you wish.

16 comments:

  1. I like snugsafe and somewinter. I also love the rhythm and rhyme of your poem. Hummingbirds are miraculous creatures and your poem feels like a celebration of this.
    I'm excited about winning a book and will send you my email.

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  2. "Part of making a life is watching and waiting carefully to beauty and then keeping it close./Consider slowing down today." Thanks for the hummingbird!

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  3. I am amazed at your photos, especially the two with outstretched wings. I have not tried photographing the hummingbirds at our feeder. I thought I could not capture the rapid movement. I like "one tiny spectacular sight to behold."

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  4. Beautiful tiny moment....like a beautiful tiny house. Everything you need in a poem without the extras and lovely to see/hear.

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  5. Your post reminds me to put out the feeder today. I've heard that the hummers are back. They pass through on their way south and north, so we can see them in September and April. I love hummingbirds. I wrote a poem this summer that I will send you by email. They are such a marvel to watch, as you captured just right in your poem.

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  6. Amy,
    This poem reminds me of one of my favorite picture books--Frédéric
    by Leo Lionni. Holding onto memories until they are needed in the winter of life! I also enjoyed your poem "This Creek." A story of life and its flow. Thank you for all you share!

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  7. There is so much to love in this post, Amy: your hummingbird photos, the video, and your endearing poem with new words. Snugsafe is a glorious word. I think while in NYC today, I will keep some memories snugsafe for a later rethinking.

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  8. Holding on to memories makes life a happy one, Amy. Your poem teaches us that. Love the video. The hummingbirds are so quick, this time being sure it's okay to have just one more sip. Happy weekend!

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  9. I've tried to capture hummingbirds at the feeder and I applaud your patience and skill. I like to think of today (Aug. 31) as the last day of summer. Headed to our farmer's market this morning and then a walk in the woods after that. I'm not familiar with the Mary Oliver poem you mentioned. I'll look for it and think of you in my slowdown moments today.

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  10. Oh, those beautiful hummers! They are truly spectacular creatures. Your post is packed with so much writing wisdom. Thank you for inviting us to slow down and enjoy nature as it unfolds!
    xx

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  11. Your post really resonated with me today. Yesterday I stood on the beach, closed my eyes and tried to absorb every sense's input, hoping to hold onto that moment in the long, busy days ahead. This morning I wrote about that moment in my notebook. Now you have me heading back to consider capturing that moment in a poem. I love the tip to "smush" words together and may do that as well. Thanks for the inspiration and also for the copy of Lee's book. I'm thrilled to add it to my classroom library!

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  12. Will there be humming birds around in November? Please say yes, because I would love to see them! (Love your clever title.)

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  13. Loving hummingbirds here, too! I saw one sitting on an electrical wire the other day, and he really made me smile as I imagined him hanging out with the other birds, all far bigger than he is!

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  14. Your poem and photos capture such a beautiful memory to keep snugsafe (I love the smooshing of words together) We don't have a feeder out, but we have hummingbirds that visit the cannas that grow beside our porch.

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  15. Amy, those photos are AMAZING. You've inspired me to try a snugsafe memory poem about the family of cardinals who nested right outside our kitchen window several years ago.

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