For at least a decade I've been carrying grief for all the lonely critters in their ghosted landscapes. Sure is hard to stay sharp and specific with it. Thanks for reminding me how.
Thanks for reading Brendan. Yes, grief sums in up. And thanks for recognising how sharp, and minimalist I am being with my words. If you search back in my archive you will see the poem was once way longer and explaining too much. I was trying to convey the birds disappearance in many parts (in the poem). I am not sure if this makes sense. It’s a feeling of loss in the poem.
This poem is a lovely and thought-provoking reflection. Few things make me more emotional than the thought of a tree being taken from a bird. I used to live near fields of canola and my eyes widen at the thought of their brightness. Here, we have American Robins, and they have been thrilling me this year with their loyal antics. The Hooded Robin you show here is one I've not yet seen in the wild.
Thanks for reading Celia. The American Robins there are probably a bit like Scrubwrens here. They’ve adapted so well to hiding in our house gardens. The robins here are a kind of flycatcher and need space, open old forest.
My heart breaks for the wildlife and habitat when I see or hear the bulldozers at work. Your poem captures the vulnerability and loss. The precious bird returning to 'the same dead branch'.... thank you. Your poem, though short and seemingly simple is deeply touching.
Lovely poem, thank you. I’m aiming to attract Red-capped Robin to my garden in Central Vic with some careful planting and leaving some messy areas. And Scarlet Robin too if able.
Hi Jen. Good to hear from you. Red-capped Robins are amazing. I saw one the other day up on the hill near the Rock of Ages in Maldon. They seem to like the big Correa patches there and the fallen branches- fallen old branches especially. I am glad someone local is reading my poetry - some who knows the landscape.
Thank you for this beautiful homage and bearing witness to the ghosts of lost landscapes.
Thank-you. Yes, so much has been lost, and most people don’t realise it.
Hey Damian
Loss of habitat is such a major cause of both local and total extinctions...
You capture that perfectly with your closing lines:
"Somewhere in the yellow fields
its call disappears
before another
can answer."
Best Wishes - Dave
Thanks Dave. Yes, there must be a sad point when they are too far apart. Or the Noisy Miners take over.
For at least a decade I've been carrying grief for all the lonely critters in their ghosted landscapes. Sure is hard to stay sharp and specific with it. Thanks for reminding me how.
Thanks for reading Brendan. Yes, grief sums in up. And thanks for recognising how sharp, and minimalist I am being with my words. If you search back in my archive you will see the poem was once way longer and explaining too much. I was trying to convey the birds disappearance in many parts (in the poem). I am not sure if this makes sense. It’s a feeling of loss in the poem.
This poem is a lovely and thought-provoking reflection. Few things make me more emotional than the thought of a tree being taken from a bird. I used to live near fields of canola and my eyes widen at the thought of their brightness. Here, we have American Robins, and they have been thrilling me this year with their loyal antics. The Hooded Robin you show here is one I've not yet seen in the wild.
Thanks for reading Celia. The American Robins there are probably a bit like Scrubwrens here. They’ve adapted so well to hiding in our house gardens. The robins here are a kind of flycatcher and need space, open old forest.
Beautifully somber. Thank you.
Thank Lev.
So much emotion captured in so few words. Wow!
Beautifully written
Oh, this poem is beautiful and tragically sad. Thank you for honoring the Hooded Robin. 💛
My heart breaks for the wildlife and habitat when I see or hear the bulldozers at work. Your poem captures the vulnerability and loss. The precious bird returning to 'the same dead branch'.... thank you. Your poem, though short and seemingly simple is deeply touching.
This brought tears. Such an ache so beautifully penned. <3
Lovely poem, thank you. I’m aiming to attract Red-capped Robin to my garden in Central Vic with some careful planting and leaving some messy areas. And Scarlet Robin too if able.
Hi Jen. Good to hear from you. Red-capped Robins are amazing. I saw one the other day up on the hill near the Rock of Ages in Maldon. They seem to like the big Correa patches there and the fallen branches- fallen old branches especially. I am glad someone local is reading my poetry - some who knows the landscape.