It’s the busy season for teachers, isn’t it? As May gets underway, we’re preparing for the end-of-the-year everything: Report cards, parties, assessments, lessons, sanity savers…the list goes on. In the busy-ness of things, it’s nice to have a moment of calm pop up every once in a while.
I oftentimes start my mornings in our school car-rider line, helping direct traffic and keep kids safe. One of the bright spots of the spring (and there are many) is the first red-winged blackbird of the year. They usually show up around late March, and I love it when I hear one sing his song to me after the months of absence. I listened to one just this morning, and it inspired me to bring out this poem to go with my short introduction.
Red-winged Blackbird
It’s like seeing an old friend
Across a crowded room
Across a field at woods’ edge
You know his voice
before you recognize his face
You know his voice
before you see him, just a glance
His carriage, familiar in a subconscious way
His tipped head, bringing a smile to your face
Remembering the walks, the talks, the dialog
Knowing this time you’re only there to listen
A moment shared before good byes
A brief time, ending in a flash
of red. Until next time, old friend
Yet There is Method 
The arrival of the migratory birds in spring is an ongoing delight. I so enjoyed the warmth of your blackbird poem.
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It really is one of my favorite events. I love hearing songs that I haven’t heard in months as birds move into the area. Thank you for your comments!
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I really like the flow of your poem! It helped calm me as I read about the red bird 🙂 thank you
http://hannahshappenings.net/2017/05/03/jobs-on-the-brain-sol-tuesday
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I always feel a stir of excitement when I hear its name– red-winged blackbird. I remember watching for them when I was a kid. They ranked right up there with the robins. But I liked their name better, much more colorful, almost mysterious. Thanks for stirring old memories. Nice poem!
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The name really is something, isn’t it? I’m tickled to hear you say that they seem mysterious–I feel the same way, but I can’t put “why” into words. Thank you for reading and your comments!
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Thank you for reading and for your comments!
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Great readingg this
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