How many lost chicks are we all saved by serendipity?
Killdeer Seven
Cow track becomes a death trap
for a tiny tuft of tawny fuzz,
baby killdeer fallen where
bovine stomped hock-deep
in sucking mud.
I wonder while
your mother pulls
the broken wing act around me,
and your father ducks low,
a trotting pacer leading
the other six chicks of your brood,
the luckier ones,
across a broken earth of hoof holes
to the safety of a brome field.
Safety?
How would you know such a thing
in a world of
thermal-high hawks
and belly-low snakes and
blood-hungry cats,
all craving your soft
downy-cased flesh.
I am become serendipity
for you, Seven,
hugging your tiny, thumping brewast
to my palm.
And then you're off
unerringly following
your father's track,
saved by grace
from a pothole among many
while your mother flops pitifully for me
who dutifully follows
her last lying dialogue
that breaks to soar to you.
My own heart beats
against the knot-holed corral fence
where I lean drawing in
the soft life-giving June breeze
coming off thunderheads to the south,
so fortunate I am
in the fullness of this world.
How many sevens are we lost chick?
How many dodging
the potholes and cares
that long to feast our lives away?
Who is become our serendipity,
the keeper of our grace, I ever wonder
hearing your haunting
coarse call, killdeer?
My Seven, be fulfilled and live.
I really enjoyed the meaning in this poem. They are able to find a nest to lay their eggs, even if it is the mud of some field. Trusting in the good graces of God to protect them from snakes and "blood-hungry cats"; even the birds of the air can become hunters. In the end we are all one under the blessings of a righteous protector. Enjoyed
Lovely and symbolically meaningful; the atmosphere that you create is thoroughly believable. I have seen killdeer(s?) behave as you describe. Thank you, Jerry. Love and peace to you,
This what I call poetry from the depths of ones heart,the words and beautiful metaphors and the deep feelings and understanding that they portray reached my soul,and I thank you Jerry, Have a wonderful day, and many blessings! You are a man that cares. Jasmin Horst
Jerry Engler, you have a marvelous way with words.
You educate us all the while spinning a vivid story of life and survival and a bit of serendipity.
This is all not unlike life in a major metropolis, except here it's less like country and more like jungle. Still we have our two-legged hawks, blood-hungry cats and belly-low snakes. Sometimes they look like muggers and con artists, but it's all about life and survival and dear mama trying her best to keep you alive 'til you can do your own flying.
Wonderful tale with a heavy dose of great insight.
Each person is but a grain of sand resting beside the sea. This thought sets the tone for Jill Eisnaugle’s latest poetry collection, Beside Still Waters.
David Hightower’s lyrically expansive meditation on the whims of fate and the unpredictability of the human condition fill the pages of THE HANGING MAN DREAMS with thrilling music and mesmerizing imagery. Hightower’s richly infused voice echoes the e
Inspirational poetry, written from the heart and soul. Verses that are well-suited for reading on a rainy day and that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Share
Print
Save
Follow
Regis
You educate us all the while spinning a vivid story of life and survival and a bit of serendipity.
This is all not unlike life in a major metropolis, except here it's less like country and more like jungle. Still we have our two-legged hawks, blood-hungry cats and belly-low snakes. Sometimes they look like muggers and con artists, but it's all about life and survival and dear mama trying her best to keep you alive 'til you can do your own flying.
Wonderful tale with a heavy dose of great insight.
Richard
the keeper of our grace, I ever wonder
Really enjoyed the vivid imagery in this poem about these captivating birds, the happy ending, and your poetic message.