Blue Jay Nest
Photo by Amy LV
Students - My husband Mark was watching some blue jays nesting in our barn earlier this summer, and when the babies fledged and the nest was abandoned, he took it down and looked inside. There was one baby who did not live long at all, perhaps just long enough to hatch.
Baby Blue Jay Skeleton
Photo by Amy LV
Not every creature is given a long life, and in today's poem, I simply wanted to speak to that little one, about all of the things I am sorry it never got to experience. The blueness of blue jays is a special blue indeed, and their might in flight is beautiful to witness. Today's poem created a pause in my day, an acknowledgement of a very short, very tiny life.
Bits of life strike us humans. And poetry is a way to hold a feeling or a question in our hands, to look at it and to take our time. I am glad to have stopped my day to think a bit about this small bird and am grateful for the time to honor its life with a few words.
You will notice that today's poem is simply a list, each line beginning with "You never..." I did not want to talk about my feeling (sadness) but instead, hoped that this simple repetition would make it clear.
And yes, this poem does have a long title. I am not sure why. I just like it that way...
And yes, this poem does have a long title. I am not sure why. I just like it that way...
Christie is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Wondering and Wandering with a celebration of birds and her love for birds. Each week we gather together, sharing poems, books, and poetry ideas all at one blog. All are always welcome to visit, comment, and post.
Please share a comment below if you wish.
