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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Poetry Friday - Wildlife Hiding

          Laura Shovan hosts our Poetry Friday today with snow!  Thanks for hosting, Laura!



           When I received Sarah Grace Tuttle's name for our Winter Swap I knew what I could write about, nature. Yet, re-reading her beautiful debut book Hidden City-Poems of Urban Wildlife left me a bit daunted. I read and reviewed it in the spring and loved it so much I bought it. Now I had Sarah's name and pulled out her book again, loved it again, and finally crafted a poem I thought would please. Here's my review of her book. If you haven't read and seen it, you must. 


             This is the poetry book to have for spring, as plants grow and all animals emerge more often, some not so welcome, but they are here, in the city! It is also for summer, then autumn and winter. Animals are busy all year. 
          In her debut book, Sarah Grace Tuttle has written twenty-eight poems about creatures and places of the city, finding living spaces that often vary from those in the country. And her pleasing and poetic words offer a new way to "pay attention", like to those sparrows that "chitter-cheep softly" waiting for rain to stop, or at the pond, "two ducks dabble down", and a "Falcon Fledge" where a young falcon "fumble-flies down/to a roof across the street: first flight." She includes some of my favorites, one found in wetlands by a nearby pond, the red-winged blackbirds, others in wooded areas, the great-horned owl, and those I only see at dusk, those little brown-bats. 
         The flora and fauna of Sarah's poems give illustrator Amy Schimler-Safford a wide array of places to create with her gorgeous mixed-media habitats. From outside in marshes, abandoned city lots and cemeteries, Amy's designs blend with Sarah's poetry beautifully. I especially love the page and poem titled "Sunflowers", showing all the things these beauties feed, like "bee, butterfly, sparrow, squirrel, me."
          At the back is a small paragraph of more information about each creature or place featured, plus "suggestions for further investigation".  If you believe only those in rural areas have wildlife encounters, you are mistaken. Sarah has shown that in this book of poetry about twenty-eight city wonders.


           And here is my poem. Luckily we had one snow that gave me inspiration.




Too hard to read?


Winter Blessed

Tree shadows laid
on snow displayed.
Small tracks made,
squirrel raid.

I fancy a walk this morning 
after the evening snow.
Sun-sparkled crystals light the lawn.
I venture out to see who has come and gone.
Squirrels, bunnies, crows do not hesitate
to run, leap and fly into the garden,
hungry for what can be found–
seeds and nuts, grass stems.
A meal from nature or from me– 
never ignored.
Sun melts enough snow 
for a puddle drink. 
It feels good to know I’m not alone,
wandering.

Linda Baie © All Rights

23 comments:

  1. I spend quite a bit of time in a major centre near home, and it's quite disconcerting when I tune into the background and realise its the wrong nature track playing. Each one is usually distinct - but sometimes the birds from the farm pipe up in the city, too.

    I like the way you bring your poem back to you - and the shared backyard. (And that puddle drink!)

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    1. Thanks, Kat. I see mostly pigeons & sparrows downtown, looking for a handout, but there are pockets of more in the parks making their city lives.

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  2. Your review is so engaging, Linda, but your poem is just lovely.
    "Sun melts enough snow
    for a puddle drink."
    You have given a new view on winter. I am already thinking about a name for a winter gallery. What do you think of Winter Whimsy or Whimsies / Wintering Fun? Your poem is surely to be included. I am glad that you fancy a walk and brought us that puddle drink to energize our emotions.

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    1. I like "Winter Whimsy", although considering that cold and snow recently in the south and east, some may disagree. Thank you!

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  3. Your poem flows beautifully, and I love the winter camaraderie you uncovered in your winter wandering. I also enjoyed reading the review again. I will have to check this book out--The language looks perfect for inspiring young poets.

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    1. Yes, the book is lovely, Molly. It feels as if I see more when it snows. Perhaps the animals need more at that time? Thanks!

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  4. I love that Sarah's nature poems inspired yours! And no, you are not alone my dear. Love your poem and the friendships we can forge just by sharing the same moment with another living creature. xo

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    1. That 'sharing' is a big thing, I know. Thanks, Irene!

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  5. Thanks for featuring Sarah's book -- love the concept of animal habitats in the city. Enjoyed your poem, just lovely, and liked tagging along on your winter walk. "Puddle drink" made me smile. :)

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    1. Thank you, Jama. Yes, Sarah's book is a gem to see and read all about nature in the city. Happy you liked my poem, too. We desperately need some puddles around here!

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  6. I love seeing the snow tracking across so many posts today, Linda. The poem you wrote for Sarah is beautiful (the squirrel raid made me laugh). I haven't read her book yet. Putting it on my TBR!

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    1. Hope you enjoy it, Laura. It is lovely. Thanks for the comment, too. Squirrels are ever-ready around here!

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  7. So happy to see the interplay of your thoughts and Sarah's. The squirrels in my yard shake all the seed out of my bird feeder as soon as I put it in. They have mastered the squirrel raid, but my dog Lucy keeps them on their toes by bolting out the door to try to catch them in flagrante. We are certainly never alone!

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    1. Laughing to hear your squirrel saga, Tabatha. I don't have a bird feeder anymore, but used to at my old home. It was a constant fight to keep some for the birds. Thanks!

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  8. What a cheerful tone to this poem....going out, finding tracks, finding friends and not being alone. I love it. It also has that special sense of kindness...the meal from nature or "me". I love this. Such a happy thought for our dark and cold days. Thank you!

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    1. You're welcome, Linda, happy that I gave you some goodness in my poem.

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  9. Nice poem, Linda. Now that I'm in Australia I kind of miss snowy winters and the introspection that ensues during that time!

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    1. Thanks, Erin. You're right, there is a cozy "inside" feeling when it snows, a hunkering down, I know. I just shared a wonderful book about Australian animals this past week, A Is For Australian Animals by Frane Lessac. It's wonderful & perhaps you know it, but if not, try to find it.

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  10. Your close observations of nature resulted in a fun poem!

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  11. I love how the poem swaps connect us in new ways. Your poem takes me out to your backyard, walking alongside you, noticing and noting.

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  12. Thanks, Mary Lee and Margaret. Now if only we would have another snow!

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  13. So lovely, and yet I'm so glad I don't have snow outside! That book sounds great; I am always looking for nature writing about the city.

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    1. Hope you find and enjoy it, Ruth. Te He, I'm happy you don't have snow, too! Thanks!

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