Between shingle beach
and salty lagoon,
marsh and reed bed,
feathered spirits,
soul-anchored
by ponderous words,
observe migrating birds
and hanker
to be free.
They long to sweep
above thorny thistles,
dart after insects in the air,
glittering lightning
across fields
and down lanes,
breaking over towns
and villages
like waves.
Petrochemicals
of centuries
clog their quills:
they are time-tattered,
myth-spattered,
tarred and feathered
with futility,
earth-tethered
gaseous ghosts.
Kim M. Russell, 2017
– Can Pekdemir
My response to Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge #154 and linked to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Tuesday Platform, also linked to earthweal open link weekend on Saturday 27th February 2021.
Goodness that image is chilling. We had an oil spill recently on the east coast of the country, these are happening way too often and causing way too much damage sadly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get so upset when I see birds and other animals affected by human greed and carelessness. It doesn’t take much to clear up our messes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yikes! That is powerful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joseph!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yowza! Such an incredibly powerful and poignant write!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sanaa!
LikeLike
Aye! Such a dark, tragedy, result of supposed progress, evolution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dorna!
LikeLike
lol – (@–>–)
LikeLike
Reblogged this on madasahatter572 and commented:
OhMyGod! Such a Brilliant Surprise. And may I also take a moment and say that Kim is such an Excellent Artist of words and imagery. (@–>–)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Dorna for the reblog and your very kind words!
LikeLike
You are most welcome. I mean it truly when I say there are very few true and honorable Artists in this world. (@–>–)(@–>–)
LikeLike
We must manager our environment better
much love…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree wholeheartedly, Gillena. Much love to you xxx
LikeLike
The last stanza paints such a terrifying image. I read it before seeing the photo, and wow… It was the perfect setting for shock.
LikeLike
You moved me in with that chilling last stanza… there is another reason why… we murder our planet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦
LikeLike
The elements of living close to nature and having a full appreciation of each detail always produces a poem which combines emotion with description.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kerry!
LikeLike
So sad indeed….a strong message in your lines here Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carrie!
LikeLike
Your words and that image, disturbing as it should be, yet excellent in its message. I shuddered as it sank in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Raivenne!
LikeLike
Myth-spattered. Soon they will be only myths. Argh
LikeLike
Hi Kim. This is absolutely brilliant. Very powerful piece. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much. xx
LikeLike
A depressing reality very well expressed
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cressida!
LikeLike
The damage we have done is endless. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That image is heartbreaking, and your words capture the plight so well. I especially love the description of the marsh and its feathered beings longing to fly. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sherry.
LikeLike
You capture the plight of birds in an oil spill with such pathos here. There is so much pain and suffering on the planet right now. Your description of the marsh and unspoiled nature is uplifting. It reads like a prayer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzanne.
LikeLike
The horror of the damage wouldn’t be so gutteral if there hadn’t been first such love a place: This is crafted just right, with the intimacies of the first part hammered by the ignobilities of the second. There is so much tragic waste to witness in our mastery. Bright wings dredged in oil. Well done – B
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Brendan.
LikeLike
‘Petrochemicals
of centuries
clog their quills:’
A tragic tale you tell here Kim, but tell it you must, and hope that in time the human race will listen. I say ‘in time’ but I do wonder how much time we have…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ingrid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love all those compound words Kim,
time-tattered,
myth-spattered,
tarred and feathered
with futility,
earth-tethered…
and that last stanza is indeed chilling!
JIM
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jim. We don’t get too many birds covered in nasty substances on our beaches now, it used to be much worse. But when we do, it is desperately sad and infuriating.
LikeLiked by 1 person