A feather drops
and the loss of lift and maneuverability is immediate
What was possible moments ago
is no longer
Coming in sheathed
new feathers are just extra weight until they’re ready
and flight as it was
is restored
Sometimes change is sudden
New flight feathers coming in on a male American Kestrel, Falco sparverius.
Polonius got that one right...
Ponderings to Keep
Reflections on my life as a teacher, reader, writer.
Polonius got that one right...
Polonius got that one right...
Polonius got that one right...
Blogging my way through the year
Polonius got that one right...
Polonius got that one right...
shouting my heart out for all who may listen
Polonius got that one right...
Lit On Fire!
"It would be nice if you could just ravel out into time."
Polonius got that one right...
Yet There is Method 
Fascinating! Your poem includes interesting ideas about growth and change that transcend birds and feathers. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for reading, and for your comments!
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I agree with Molly. Lots to think about with your poem. It reminds me, obliquely, of snake birds (anhingas?) whom I have watched drying their wings. Once they have been swimming, they can’t fly (while wet). The change is sudden, but takes less time to restore 🙂
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Tabatha, I’ve not heard of snake birds, but I’ll have to look them up. The natural world is amazing!
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This reminds me of a poem, ‘The Moment When the Water Boils.’ Great catch of a fleeing moment.
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Linda, I just took a look at that poem–thanks for pointing it out, and thanks for reading!
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Your poem floats in as light as a feather Tim. I delighted in your words and the added extra of a snippet of knowledge about the emergence of new flight feathers.
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Thanks, Alan!
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Thanks for a poem that both teaches and delights!
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I love how this poem looks at such fine detail–that moment of change in weight. How great to get that close to seemingly unreachable birds. And I’m glad to know about the sheaths!
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Thanks for reading, Karin. I love being able to work with birds–there’s always so much to learn!
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As i was reading your poem, Tim, I felt that there was a message for life in its words. Very nicely done.
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Thank you, Carol!
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Oh, I love this short poem that says so much more than it says. And amazing photo! I had no idea…
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Thanks, Laura. I love working with birds and being able to get close to them. There’s always so much to learn and write about!
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