The Murmuration.
Did Steinbeck have the low-down
on starlings?
Someone did.
Are they held together
by the elastic string of time?
Their timing is certainly precise.
Even gulls
who get caught up
in that display
avoid black wings
that shimmer
in the late sun.
I posted this on the 1st. December last year but I'm putting it back up for dVerse this week.
It's Open Link Night Week 33.
Wow. Every word is wonderful. I read it from my dashboard, and did not see the incredible image. The poem is so fantastic on its own, but a double pleasure, indeed.
ReplyDeletenice verse...it is pretty amazing to watch them in the sky...fascinating actually...
ReplyDeletewill go in and fix your link again...
at the end you keep putting .co/uk instead of .com ...fyi
the elastic string of time...yes, that is exactly what it looks like. perfect.
ReplyDeleteFantastic... love the photo too
ReplyDeletei think this is super creative, beginning with a reference to steinbeck and holding that wing image like you do. very nice.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent write. Tightly written and conveyed. Birds seem to have a single mind at times. Perhaps this is why mystics use them as symbols.
ReplyDeleteit's a fascinating spectacle to behold, and a most excellent poem of reflection upon it...
ReplyDeletelove the elastic string of time... much enjoyed
ReplyDeleteNicely penned!
ReplyDeletethankyou to all you lovely bloggers for commenting on this poem. the spectacle of the birds in flocks...flying as one has always thrilled me. I believe that "elastic string of time is a steinbeck quote. I like to write things in my notebook when they hit a note with me. But the pic is my own as is the poem.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem. I love a bit of murmuration!
ReplyDeleteWonderful-- This is exquisite, cleanly written...I love your focus on the starlings, the elastic string of time... xxj
ReplyDeletejen revved
ReplyDelete...thankyou for your kind comment. Isn't it good how every now and then something really seems to click! this one did...but it could be a long time before another comes along and sings to me!