Poem: American Kestrel

The month of April is National Poetry Month!  This is the first time I’ve done anything to participate as a poet, and I’ve made a few decisions about how I want to do so.

First, I’m going to work off the theme A Walk in the Woods.  Walking in the woods is something I’ve done quite a bit lately, so this seems like a natural fit (no pun intended). 

Second, I’m going to share original poetry throughout the month if I’m able to do so.  I enjoy writing short forms (haiku, tanka, cinquains, etc) as well as slightly longer (12-20 lines) works, but if I’m not feeling it, I don’t want to force it.  I’ll share finished pieces, as well as drafts I’ll revisit later.  In addition to my stuff, I’ll be sharing other poetry I like.  Some days I might do both.  

Third, I’m going to probably miss a day, and that’s okay.  I thought about missing today, just to get it out of the way, but I wanted to share a short poem I found, so I set that plan aside.

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Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time with an American Kestrel.  Held under permit by Rise Raptor Project, an organization with which I volunteer, this bird we call Blue is a feisty little guy who is unfortunately non-flighted.  That doesn’t affect his attitude and personality, though, and I enjoy working with him.

This found poem is a cinquain that I took from The Sibley Guide to Birds, Second Edition (pg 326).

kestrel
small and slender
flight is light and buoyant
often hovers in search of prey
falcon