Apology to a Partridge

I’m sorry little partridge

that I startled you

made you lift

your little round body

against the forces

of gravity

using precious energy

not once but twice

on this frosty morning

to escape in flight

peeping over and over

your fear

and though I changed

directions

moved my path wide

from where your

little round shadowed form

landed

my pup came too close

and so once again

you peeped your fear

and flew fast and low

with my genuine concern

over the highway

safely thank goodness.

I wondered at your loneliness

as usually I see at least

two to four of your kind together

but then was reassured

another day

when I did see

a group of at least five

flying freely

together.

Dawn Rising

Shadowed form emerging

in dim light

growing, rising

what a sight

Curiosity,

mind confused

imagination

reality fused

unearthly creature

expanding up and wide

explodes before me

to the left and right

with a whoosh and a ripple

a chorus of wings in flight

my heart beats in rhythm

with their plight

these startled birds

whom I didn’t know

were settled in a bush

that I approached

before the first

light of day

had I known

I’ve would’ve chosen

another way

so within this shelter

they could’ve stayed

upon this cold

winter morning

day.

[Again, on another dawn rising walk…]

Shadowed form emerging

in dim light

growing, rising

what a sight

Curiosity,

mind confused

imagination

reality fused

unearthly creature

rising over me

wings expanding

then I see

it is an Owl

right over my head

so close I wonder

if it will come down

instead

it just checks me out

and continues on its way

not too far though

to land on a pole

and there it stays.

I think this must be

the same one

I did hear

in the distance

three or four times

with no fear

but intrigue

and wonder

as I passed by

under a moonlit

morning sky

with stars

twinkling

and shining bright

trees illuminated

by this light

lending

a surreal feel

yet at the same time

that all was whole

all would heal.