KateMcCarrollMoore

I picked up a small antique bird

in a musty old shop

a bit of twine tied ‘round its leg

I held it for a moment or two

then set it down, walked away slow

in search of the next pretty thing

Did I hear it call out to me as I turned?

I couldn’t really be sure

but I picked it up once more

pressed it close to my ear

and this is the story I heard

I’ve been sitting here

Just waiting for you

For many long years and a day

If you take me home

I have secrets to share

There’s so much that I’ve seen in this world

Do you know where I’ve been?

Do you know who’s owned me?

I bet that you’re dying to know

So I paid for that bird

that’s now perched on my shelf

but it’s never again uttered a word

(Day 8: 1 subject 30 ways #personificationpoem)

It helps to have been born in a nest

The higher up, the better

A healthy wingspan is useful too

And then, of course, some optimism

Looking up instead of down

Expands the chances for success

Flying is an art

And to do it well

Takes courage and strength and a huge leap of faith

So just step to the edge and let go

(Day 7: 1 subject 30 ways #howtopoem)

I’m trying to remember

what first sparked it

this fascination with birds

my lifelong obsession, a natural connection

hours spent pressed against a frosty window pane

watching backyard birds at the feeder

jays and cardinals, bright blooms of color against the snow

lone killdeer darting across the road

a flash of white in the distance

the tap tap tap of a red-capped woodpecker in grandpa’s tree

the startling thrump of a barn owl landing on the porch

that circling red-tailed hawk, those ruby-throated hummers

an eagle’s nest swaying atop a suburban redwood

slow parade of ducklings emerging from a rainy stormdrain

shattered babyblue robin’s egg at my feet

freedom and fragility, chance and design

life’s questions and answers

on a wing and a prayer

my natural connection, a lifelong obsession

(Day 6: 1subject30ways #freeversepoem)

If you were there that morning,

you would have witnessed

a certain kind of miracle

you would have seen me

rocking bare feet and pajamas

crawling beneath the bushes

you’d have caught me in all my glory

wrestling with that cat

prying open its clenched jaws

you would have cried out

to see that limp bird cupped in my hands

while a chorus of sparrows sang halleluia

you’d have felt the minutes pass like hours

as the bird lay motionless and cold

and that cat slowly slunk away

and then, you’d have seen it

from the corner of your eye

a twitch, a flutter, and a flap

my miracle bird spread its wings

and took off for the sky

(Day 5: 1 subject 30 ways #secondpersonpoem)

One wee rusty wren

warbling with glee

will willingly wake

those who sleep-walk through life

wicked and weary, their wrong ways

waste time

while the world waits for change

from treetop

to rooftop

to worn windowsill

we wait and we listen

with each wonder-filled trill

there’s work to be done

the wren whistles and warns,

time’s a wastin’, wars are raging

get up now, get woke.

(Day 4: 1 subject 30 ways #alliterationpoem)

You would think I’d be tired

of this monotony

Everyday flitting

from tree to tree

from fence to feeder

from seed to seed

Singing in unison

Singing alone

Repeating the melody of one perfect song

Truth is that each moment

since I first left the nest

I’ve sung praise for the seasons

praise for the sky

praise for these wings that allow me to fly

high above rooftops

and treetops and rain

trilling thank you in gratitude

for my bird’s eye view of life

(Day 3: 1 subject 30 ways #maskpoem)

When I was 16
my boyfriend bought me a parrot
and a cage to keep him in
I wanted a lovebird

Played a record day and night
teaching that caged bird to talk
Hello, baby, want a kiss?
Hello, baby, want a kiss?
The bird just squawked!

Pulled his feathers out
one by one
refused to speak
barked like a dog
Still, I didn’t understand
the misery of not being allowed to fly.

(Day 2: 1 subject 30 ways #storypoem)