Picture borrowed from Flickr
Three Grackles, Bathing
A short time ago,
From window I spied,
A trio of grackles,
The birdbath, bestride.
Faux-concrete cistern,
This wash-stand for birds,
Ring-full of rainfall,
It reliably girds,
Just after the storms,
Or when sun's rays shine,
Often a battery of
Birds make beeline,
To splash in its depths,
Flutter their wings,
But grackles are wary,
And do some strange things.
Hopping from centre,
To edges and back,
Before they get dunked in
The deep, they clack, clack.
Cackling like chickens,
They test with their toes,
They’re kids at the seaside,
They’re circus sideshows.
Too soon, it’s all over--
This afternoon swim,
I rush for my camera...
They’ve flown off, on a whim.
Kathleen Mortensen©2008
(N.B. A photo of the afterbath will be posted as soon as it becomes available)
2 hours ago
18 Friends had this to say::
Oh my. Too bad you didn't get your camera in time. I have watched the grackles do a lot of things. I have never seen a crow in a bath situation though.
Delightful observaton and speculation. I, too, wonder what goes on in birds and other animals. Especially that inner space cats go to, I know you know what I mean!
In Alabama we don't have grackles so I never saw one until my son moved to Texas. They sure make funny sounds.
Okay, I had to Google the word Grackle's. I was wondering if this was not in fact a bit of a Jabberwocky verse coming up.
Abe, I'm still waiting for their return and I've got the camera ready!
Deb - Oh, yes. That space. You know when they just stop and look around? I always think there's a ghost in the room.
steviewren, they are not the favoured birds, certainly, but they are most entertaining.
Linda - Jabberwocky! Yes. I can see that - perhaps a different poem is due.
What a delightful tribute to the "Grackles" Who would have thought to write a poem about "Grackles";)
I can see them "dunk in the deep" these grackles, although I have no idea of how they look like. Great stuff
Why doesn't my birdbath have that much activity?
Well cool....you sure have a way with words. I really enjoyed reading this!!
great work here kat and as mentioned observation what you see.
i would love to get some pictures of any kind of bird. i carry my camera with me now and often times by the time i get it out, it's gone.
Ki Kat
My favorite part -
Cackling like chickens,
They test with their toes,
They’re kids at the seaside,
They’re circus sideshows.
Especially the last two lines.
So this is a grackle! Really a lovely bird. We don't have them here!
Wonderful poem, too! Thanks!
This poem is absolutely delightful. What Beatrix Potter achieved with art I think you do with poetry. I really do. By poetic illustration you draw attention to what is endearing, comic and delightful in our furry and feathered friends. If you don't believe me, re-read one of your animal poems and then look a drawing by Miss Potter. See?
A grackle, a first for me. I love to watch the antics of the birds in the birdbath, even some bullying goes on I notice. Great poem, did you learn or is it a natural talent? x
Thank you so much! And so sorry it took me so long to come over here and read your beautiful poem.....I've just tonight settled in to catch up , somewhat....its good to land on your blog and see what all I've missed.....
I love the image and your poetic description of the grackles at bath and play here. Do I have your permission to put a link to this post on my blog? Please say yes!
Thank you so much again for this special tribute!!
fun poem wonderful shot sk
This one is sweet, and fun!
You are obviously an attentive observer of birds! Fun poem to read. We have many grackles around here....I don't have a birdbath, though. The shimmery aqua-blue of the grackles' heads is fascinating!
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