Have you ever wanted to be an ornithologist?

Question

Bird’s Nest

by C.S. Scotkin

Another porch…

potted impatiens

from brass hooks

cascade pastel

hues of dawn.

Shh, hear them

in the middle,

that purple one.

Gray dove still,

belies her fear,

three down chicks

now motionless,

she does not leave.

Shh…meet her

mother eyes.

She will not leave.

This cradle chosen

so close to my door

wakens new

awareness, Shh!

Close quietly,

whisper respect.

She knows me now,

I am no threat.

Her babes grow

quickly, her care

flags not once.

She sits, eyes meet

once more, shh…

our trust complete.

I reach out

warm feathers

beating heart…

mother’s heart…

like mine.

Answer 1

Unlike one Happy Hiram -- much in need of a renaming, that one -- I enjoyed the poem just the way it is stated.  Lovely surprise ending.  No, I don't want to be an ornithologist, just a poet who is read as often as he  responds.  Much easier...and no special training required.

Answer 2

Try it this way.

Another porch… potted impatiens from brass hooks

cascade pastel hues of dawn.

Shh, hear them, in the middle, that purple one.

Gray dove still belies her fear,

three down chicks  ...she does not leave.

Shh…meet her mother eyes.

This cradle chosen so close to my door

wakens new awareness,

Close quietly, whispered respect.

She knows me now, I am no threat.

Her babes grow quickly,

her care never flags

Our trust complete.

I reach out

warm feathers, beating heart…

A mother’s heart… like mine.

When I read it the way you laid it out I nearly had a brain anurysm from the choppy, fragmented way all the thoughts were shredded by the structure. I chopped some of the debris, added a needed article or two, and let the lines read as single thoughts, and in this form it is a mediocre poem instead of a headache.

Answer 3

Lovely!  Yes, from time to time I fancy I am...rushing for my R.T. Petersen...attempting to decide what I'm seeing!

Answer 4

From pond lady to dove lady, you advance across the terrain.  You do sing quite well as you go though.!

Answer 5

Have I ever wanted to study  fossil footmarks of a bird-like creature? No, But I sure do love my birds (and squirrels). I've got about a dozen feeders out. The Downy Woodpeckers are my favorite. they'll come within reaching distance of me. My doves on the other hand are paranoid--I don't know why, I've got three couples living in my yard year round, but they don't seem to trust me. Not even the mom on my porch.

I like your "motherly" poem though despite them not liking me.

Answer 6

A beautiful poem.  Mothers of all species share the commonality of love.

Answer 7

wel depend what i'm looking for. if it's like eagles well yes but if its pigeons then no.

Answer 8

It sounds like an interesting field, at least by your descriptions.