Beauty in the Most Mundane: The Blackbirds and The Dove

Shannon is a passionate individual whose feelings and thoughts tend spill onto the pages, often in the form of poetry and sometimes essays.

Blackbirds gather on the pavement

As the scorching heat beats down

Some lurk in the shadows

Beneath the trees

Like it’s their personal haven

Others take a little bath

In remnants of last night’s rain

First they cock their heads horizontally

To drink before doing as they please

Here a splish and there a splash

Stormy midnight sky feathers

In front of vacant fields of green

Feasting upon abundant cricket delicacies

An overcast blue background just beyond

And I think to myself, what a wonderful treasure

It’s a spectacle to behold

Nature’s beauty most mundane

Who can ascertain?

Suddenly a lone dove swoops down

From somewhere else unknown

She scatters the blackbirds

But for only a moment

Soon they all refocus

On their various pleasures

While I struggle to find just the right words

Comments

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on December 05, 2019:

Hi C E Clark,

I love the way their feathers reflect the light. i'm glad you notice it.I don't know much about their intelligence, but it doesn't surprise me that they are. I do know that they can be extremely loud! It seems that you and I are from the same general area and I can say that, at least in North Texas, they are plentiful everywhere. Well,all over the parts of Texas I've been too, too. I don't particularly recall them being around much when I was growing up in IL. Then again, I didn't have the same kind of appreciation for much of nature as I do now.

C E Clark from North Texas on December 03, 2019:

Grackles are plentiful everywhere it seems. One thing most people see, but rarely if ever take notice of, is how their feathers reflect a rainbow of color when the sun or light of any kind hits them just right. They're also very intelligent birds. I have learned to appreciate the grackles in spite of their mundaneness. :)

Well done, and I'm posting this poem to AH & FB.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on February 22, 2019:

Thanks, Peggy. This reply feature right under your comment is new. Interesting.... Anyway, thanks for your comment. I hope that I was able to capture it. It has a calming effect on me to watch nature.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on February 22, 2019:

You expertly captured the nuances of blackbirds going about their daily routines. I love watching things in nature, whether it is a cloudy sky, rustling leaves on trees, the flit of a hummingbird, or blackbirds in parking lots. There is so much to admire. Thanks for capturing some of it in your poem.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on November 08, 2018:

I agree, Flourish! This may sound weird, but I even like those grackle birds with all their loud noises. Thanks so much for your kind comment.

FlourishAnyway from USA on November 08, 2018:

This nature poem is beautiful. Birds are some of my favorite creatures. I look at some animals and instantly see spirituality if there ever were any -- they are that majestic.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 30, 2018:

It does my mood, my heart, my soul good when I appreciate the nature around me. Thanks for leaving such a nice comment, Chitrangada.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on October 30, 2018:

Beautiful expressions!

Nature has beauty in abundance. We must know how to appreciate it. I also love to watch birds, especially in the mornings.

Thanks for sharing this!

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 23, 2018:

Hi, Dana. Yes, they do have a way of doing that, don't they?

Dana Tate from LOS ANGELES on October 23, 2018:

There's something peaceful about watching birds. They remind you somehow of the importance of taking pleasure in the moment.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 22, 2018:

I have my moments, Manatita. LOL. Thanks so much.

manatita44 from london on October 22, 2018:

A budding poet. Excellent piece!

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 21, 2018:

Thank you, Gypsy. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 21, 2018:

Yay, AB! Glad to make you smile. You certainly make me smile, too, with your enthusiasm.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 21, 2018:

I'm glad you think the words flow so well, David. Thank you so much for stopping by to read and to leave a nice comment.

Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on October 21, 2018:

Beautifully penned. Enjoyed this.

A B Williams from Central Florida on October 21, 2018:

Beautiful Shannon.

This brought a smile to my face this morning. Beauty is all around us, even in the places we may not think to look.

David Edward Lynch from Port Elizabeth, South Africa on October 21, 2018:

A beautiful poem, thanks for sharing, the words just flow...

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 20, 2018:

Thanks, Pamela. Good to know so many people appreciate them.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on October 20, 2018:

I love the birds, and some black birds visit us as well This is a good poem about the way they appear to us.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 20, 2018:

Hi Mary,

Seems like they're just about everywhere here. Especially in grocery store or fast food parking lots They like the food crumbs, I guess. Some think they're pests, but I like them. Except for maybe when they scream loudly in my ear. I've had that happen before. LOL. Glad you let htem visit your feeders, too.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on October 20, 2018:

We have a few black birds in the cottage and sometimes, they visit our feeders. I can relate to your observations of them.

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 20, 2018:

Thanks, Bill! I'm sure your farm is a wonderful place to be. You and Bev must surely feel at peace there.

These particular observations were through a window one day when I was working. I kept looking out to watch the birds. I did that often, but that day the birds were particularly animated. There was an over abundance of food and mud puddles. Apparently a blackbird celebration. ;)

Shannon Henry (author) from Texas on October 20, 2018:

Haha. I know the feeling, Alexander. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 20, 2018:

You would be welcomed on our farm. Why? Because you obviously appreciate the fine nuances of nature. Loved this.....your observations, delivered by your muse, are right on!

Alexander James Guckenberger from Maryland, United States of America on October 19, 2018:

I speak two languages and do not always possess the right words. :)