scribbler
Dec 29, 2010

A MOCKING BIRD

Easing down a wooded valley
on a bit of sylvan salley
late April or early May
an altogether pleasant day.

The forest in a deep new green
providing a cool leafy screen
from the late afternoon heat;
honeysuckle blossoms smelling sweet.

As my legs and feet begin to tire
I decide to sit and just admire.
Well now, there's a perfect stump
upon which to perch my rump.

I sit down and take a rest
in midst of springtime woodland quest
when a mocking bird alights near
and it shows no sign of fear.

Just for fun I address this bird
as if it understands each word.
To my surprise it stays right there
listening with utmost care.

Who might be the man to lead
us from this plight caused by such greed,
tell me who might heed this call.
I guessed bird's silence said it all.

Then I inquired about beliefs,
why do they lead to such griefs?
Would lack of religion make him sad ?
He looked at me as if I'm mad.

I just kept going on and on
about things present as well as gone.
What solutions do his kind prefer?
Each time his answer he'd defer.

When will come the end of war
and all the reasons they're fought for?
When will mankind become clever ?
His one response was simply " Never ".

Then he squawked and took to wing
without adding anything
leaving me with open mouth
in midst of woods deep in the south.

I shook myself as from a trance
then checked the stump for fire ants.
Was this conversation merely dreamed ?
That surely wasn't how it seemed.

Now I often sit and wonder
sometimes am even led to ponder
when will this bird talk like before ?
I know the answer : Nevermore .

About This Poem

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - draft

About the Author

Region, Country: South Carolina, United States, USA

Favorite Poets: Frost

This user supports Neopoet so it can be free to all

More from this author

Comments

S

Guess I'll blame misspell on being tired from a long day. Appreciate your catching it. Thanks for the read and kind comment and happy new year..................scribbler

R

raj

14 years 4 months ago

this is a masterpiece..it held me captive through and through ...i loved the way you have dealt with your inner thoughts ..in pursuit of many baffling questions we encounter in life and this world..using a mocking bird as a source for seeking an un-biased honest opinion is a remarkable choice...

Wishing You and Your Beloveds A Very Bright..Happy..Healthy...Peaceful 2011...and keep the bird in you in the best of cheer...

S

thank you raj for both the kind remark and well wishes. May your new year also bring you happiness...................stan

S

thanks Jayne. Yes I will be doing reruns every so often ( mostly with minor edits which only seem obvious after time ) Have a great new year (((((((.))))))).......................stan

Nordic cloud

I think I remember this one Stan,
just one word seems somehow out of
context in a way and that is RUMP,
it doesn't fit for me, I have nothing against
the word per se, but...?

Fire ants?
I don't know what they are.

Love to you Stan from Ann.

S

I was able to think of few words to rhyme with "stump" which still fit in lol.Fire ants are an invasive tiny and from South America that are highly aggressive and which pack a lot of venom into each sting. Notorious around here for favoring old stumps to use for home. I hope your new year brings much joy.....................stan

S

kind of surprised the folks that remember this. ...............stan