Friday, September 14, 2007

Gathering Feathers

Sunday Scribbling's prompt: Collecting.

A woman goes gathering feathers
into a basket woven from reeds.
In windy or cold, rainy weather
a woman goes gathering feathers
alone. Others go gleaning together,
but who knows what she really needs
this woman who's gathering feathers
into a basket woven from reeds?

She burns them for heat in the cold,
she stuffs them in pillows and coats.
When all of her handcrafts are sold,
she burns them for heat in the cold
and waits for her wings to unfold
and birdsong to burst from her throat.
She burns them for heat in the cold,
she stuffs them in pillows and coats.

12 comments:

Elspeth said...

I love this. It says a lot without actually saying too much. Makes me think of a Native Indian legend.

~Kathryn~ said...

so visual
i felt peaceful reading it

Silvia said...

I love this!!!

Makes me want to stop reading blogs and start day dreaming :)

paisley said...

very nice piece... a sing songy quality that i really enjoyed....

Jo said...

Gorgeous. I loved the rhythm and the repetition and this:

and waits for her wings to unfold
and birdsong to burst from her throat.

Jo said...

Gorgeous. I loved the rhythm and the repetition and this:

and waits for her wings to unfold
and birdsong to burst from her throat.

Patois42 said...

Perhaps it's the cadence being so at one with the words that gives me such peace. Very wonderful.

Tumblewords: said...

Lyrical - sounds like a lullaby or fairy tale. I could read this again and again. Lovely.

Forgetfulone said...

I really like your poem. Thanks for sharing your talent.

Anonymous said...

you caught my attention with this, not only did you write a great poem you woke me up out of my collecting stupor to see that people can collect things as a means to an end...for resources, not some materialistic hedonistic never enough reason.
good job!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I'm always excited when I find original poetry.

Ruth said...

Aloha, Tiel - I love this poem (as I am a woman who gathers feathers, as well.)
"and waits for her wings to unfold
and birdsong to burst from her throat." yes~

It may be similar to touching a human tear, or tasting the drop of sap from the Spring tree - they are proof of a moment that cannot otherwise be held.
Ruth