Ode to a Great Horned Owl Eyes wide open Staring down You watch my every move Noble stance Moves so slight I dared to talk to you What to say To Mr. Owl Perched up in the tree? “Whooo Whooo Who are You? What d’you think of me?” He stretched up Wings spread wide He flew straight my way Talons huge I ducked fast Whew! He flew away. Never mess With Mr. Owl Just watch him quietly One majestic Awesome bird So full of dignity. © 2011 by Janice D. Green
Catfishing with Mom Getting dark Moon is full Rods and reels are ready Nightcrawlers Insect spray Snacks and sodas plenty Two lawn chairs Coleman light Loaded on the pier Disconnect Shove on out Drop the anchor here Forget the time Let out your line Enjoy cicada’s din. Catfish bite Line slides slow Then jerk and reel him in. If they bite Or if they don’t It doesn’t really matter Gentle rocking Making ripples Conversation starter Remembering a special time long ago and wishing we had done it more often. The lake was in the back yard and I was in college. I moved to another state
New Bird New bird On the suet Never seen before Bird guide search… Not an American Goldfinch Red spot on top of head Beak too small Not a Redpoll Red spot too small Yellow head and breast No streaks Not a Nashville Warbler Red spot too distinct Wings have bars Yellow head Must be a rare bird Wait… Ruby Crowned Kinglet Red spot just right Small beak White ring around eye Wings have bars Yellow head and breast No streaks That’s it!!! Yay! New bird identified! © 2011 by Janice D. Green ps I’ll try to get a picture up later if I can get one.
A Winter’s Walk I walked with him One winter day Beside a beaver pond The trees were bare The water still Our feet the only sound Then through the wood Where brambles grabbed And vines messed up my hair But as we neared The field ahead Old dreams resurfaced dear To build on land With pond nearby And wildlife everywhere No matter this Land’s not for sale We’ll dream another year © 2011 by Janice D. Green
Yesterday I was sitting on my front step watching a kitten scout out everything that moved in my flower bed while my husband gathered grapes from our grape arbor. An occasional sprinkle on my bare arms teased that it might rain, so I looked up at the sky. What I saw coming down was feathers, a dozen or more. I then did an instant replay and in my mind heard the echo of a bird squawk that had been heard only