Among the high
branches of the silver birch
struts a handsome magpie,
jet black on creamy white,
not still and quiet
like the pigeon on the branch next door,
but constantly chattering
and fidgeting,
see-sawing its tail to keep balance.
It’s a fine, long tail,
a stick of charcoal scribbling
in the grey February sky.
And I
find myself reading between
the windswept lines
unbalanced poetry
left by the magpie.
Kim M. Russell, 20th February 2020
My response to Poets and Storytellers United Weekly Scribblings #7: This is a Tribute
For this week’s scribblings, Rommy asks us to think about the word ‘tribute’. We can make your word offerings straightforward tributes to people, places, or things we admire, or simply incorporate the idea of tribute in any way we see fit.
writing in north norfolk 
good post…thanks for share
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Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Ah, the whole world leaves poetry for us, if we know how to read it! Thanks for teaching me this, Kim.
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😊
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Kim, I always love your observations in nature. This is lovely. I have never seen a magpie, but I would love to!
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Thank you, Linda. A magpie, visits our garden every day, sometimes even two, and I love to watch it strut about as if it’s in charge.
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I could see the cheeky thing swaying in my mind. There’s something wonderfully spirited about this piece.
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Thank you, Rommy.
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Magpies are fascinating birds, and you’ve paid a charming tribute.
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Thank you, Bev. This one keeps visiting. He can be very noisy and sometimes he brings a partner. I’m hoping that they have a nest in one of the trees in our garden and I can watch the fledglings.
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I wonder what “unbalance poetry” was left for you to share. You brought out this unique character in your world.
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Thank you, Joel. The unbalanced poetry is still there, waiting for me to take up the threads.
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A fun poem, Kim
She deserves your tribute
but
You can go crazy and real wild
Trying to read between the lines
Tailspun and stinky everywhere
magpie’s unbalanced poetry
..
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🙂
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Now that’s gorgeous!!💝 I especially love the image; “long tail, a stick of charcoal scribbling in the grey February sky.”😍😍
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Thank you, Sanaa! 😀
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Your tribute is as magnificent as the magpie’s tail!
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Thank you muchly!
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