Gene Murtha is our Guest Editor for Per Diem in May. Along with being a haiku poet, Gene is an avid birdwatcher, and his overlapping interests are on display in this month’s Per Diem gallery. Gene writes:
May is one of our better months to look to the sky, and you will be surprised at what you may see, besides possibly Superman or an airplane; “it’s a bird.” The avian. In these selections I want to share with you my love and my passion for nature through poems which are among the best bird haiku ever written. These haiku bring out the obvious, and not so obvious; even a poem that does not include the name of a bird. So open up your field guides and enjoy the ride.
the long night ending –
figbirds in the fig tree
whistle up the sun
– Presence #45, January 2012
telephone wire-
the tap-tapping
of a woodpecker
edge of winter –
sparrows huddle
on the ploughshare
– Presence #37, January 2009
My extended apology to Marian Olson for her haiku getting cropped, the word “heron,” along with her name are missing from today’s bird haiku.
Sincerely,
Gene
thunder
who is the bird
still singing?
Time of Singing, Summer 2006
first sunny day –
children and gulls take turns
in the puddle
– Famous Reporter, June 2009
cardinal’s call-
the change
in his pace
Only a couple of errors so far, but hey? Sorry Micheal for the poem that was not included for
this project. I hope every one has fun. Gene
least bittern
I hold the paddle tight
against the current
pond shimmer
there not there
grebes
The Heron’s Nest
fish story
a cormorant spreads its wings
wider
– Stylus Poetry Journal, April 2006
– Lorin
before the rain drops of birdsong
into icy depths
the whoosh of a gannet
right on target
A wonderful idea, Gene. I follow some blogs by serious birdwatchers. Their photos are amazing and I learn a lot. They enjoy poetry about nature as well.
A late Spring here in Wisconsin. The robins and red-wings returned over a week later than last year.
Ellen