Monday, December 15, 2014

The Gift

http://www.birdforum.net

The reason I’m looking out the window
Is because dawn brings hungry birds to the feeder,
whole flocks of rosy finches,
a pair of ruby cardinals,
sky colored jays and red capped flickers,
an upside down nuthatch in its gray-blue cape,
chickadees with their black caps
pulled down around their ears.

And this morning, ten days before Christmas,
a gift – an albino finch, white as the grounded snow,
white as the shy ermine down by the pond,
white as a feathered angel,
its wings fluffed against the cold - 

stayed just long enough for me to see it,
to say Oh! and cast about for my camera.
Then something – caution, fright, a need to fly,
lifted its wings and flung it back into the sky

where white clouds waited to enfold it.

13 comments:

RockTheWrinkle.com said...

Absolutely beautiful, have never seen one! What a gift for sure. I love watching the birds and always think of my Mother, especially at this time of year. Thanks for such a wonderful message.

Out on the prairie said...

Very nice, I could see all. When I first saw the pic it made me think of the wild canaries I saw when in the Canary Islands. they had a bit longer legs, but have a similar call like the finches.







Joanna Jenkins said...

How beautiful-- Your words and your lovely white feathered friend.

The Furry Gnome said...

Your words capture something that's pretty special! Amazing in fact, so completely white.

Tabor said...

Surely a Christmas angel in disguise.

Friko said...

What must life be like for a small bird when you have to be permanently on the lookout for killers while you’re feeding? Never to be able to feed in peace without fear of interruption?

I hope your little albino survives. They don’t often, do they.

Hilary said...

Oh wow.. what a treasure. I'm so glad you saw it. A gift, indeed.

Brian Miller said...

wow. what a catch eh? how cool..i dont think i have ever seen one...can you believe it is that soon til christmas?

Kerry said...

Oh my goodness. That is the most special thing I have seen in a long time. How lucky for you!

Pauline said...

RocktheWrinkle - I always imagine my mother returning as a catbird (http://writingdownthewords.blogspot.com/2013/06/small-miracles.html)

OOTP - this was definitely a finch, just white where all the brown/black s hold be!

I thank you, JJ!

Furry Gnome - the neighbors have seen it, too. In fact they stopped the car and simply sat, staring, till the bird flew away.

Tabor - that's my story, too :)

Friko - it's still around a week later. I just saw it again!

Hilary - my camera is never close by when I need it!

Brian - Christmas is even sooner now!

Kerry - I do feel lucky. I've never seen an albino anything in real life!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hello, greetings. Lovely poem and a beautiful photo. You are living in an amazing place. Best wishes

Pauline said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, Joseph. Greetings to you in India.

molly said...

Gifts turn up in unexpected places. I won't tell you exactly what so's you'll have to come and read it on my blog! Happy New Year Pauline and yes, I'll nudge you!