- Credit: tibakerstudio.com
Submitted to Jingle’s Poetry Potluck: http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/
This week’s theme is language, signs and symbols. Because I have spent much of my life in areas graced by Native American culture and spirituality, I am so aware of the many lessons taught through careful observation of the role of nature in our lives. Birds, in particular, seems to come to me–both in nature and in dreams and they are said to be messengers of the Divine. I try to attune to what they may be here to teach me. This poem touches on the symbolism of a few of the bird totems.
Feathered Totems
I am…
the cawing Raven
crying magic, mystery,
circling your life with
power of creation.
I am…
the brilliance of the Eagle
spanning space between the earth
and sky, carrying your spirit
to the top of distant mountains.
I am…
the lowly mourning Dove
echoing the sound of longing
deep within your emptiness
that God alone can fill.
I am…
the joy of Hummingbird
dancing in the morning dew,
drinking golden nectar,
nourishing your soul.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Raven, Eagle, Dove and Humminbird so magically portrayed in your write. A very enjoyable and inspiring poem.
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Thank you, Yelena. I’m surrounded by these birds right now (not eagles, but hawks).
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I love birds and the symbolism and comined in this poem with Native American call on thm, they’re a delight. This is quite evocative in its way. Perfect for Potluck theme. More than perfect. Thanks! Enjoyed much.
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Thanks for your visits, Jamie. I truly value your input.
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😀
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It Feels very free… Beautiful poem.
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Thank you, Sam.
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interesting and reward to read…
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This is wonderful, Victoria. You are a Bird Lady and you write about them so thoughtfully. I love this poem. Had a visit from a beautiful red-tailed hawk this week, up close and personal. Magnificent being. I love thinking of him/her as a messenger from God.
Love you,
Pam
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Pam, I see you as a hawk person, bringing messages from God to earth at notesalongthepath.wordpress.com
Love to you my friend.
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Victoria, I love birds and the last stanza about the hummingbird is wonderful.
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some gorgeous little snapshots of the strengths of each of these and you are all and more…
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Thank you, Brian
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Really beautiful. Whenever a bird or animal crosses my path, I’m always looking up the spiritual meaning.
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love your thoughts. thanks for sharing.
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So beautiful! I love this, and it’s obvious how close you are to the natural world. Mine is here. http://razzamadazzle.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/willing/
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This is so beautiful. I am just blown away by the talent os so many of you.
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So beautiful and very well-written.
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Thanks, Angela.
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Very powerful.
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Thank you, Morganna
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And they are all birds, too, so the same as each other and very different at the same time, like all of us. I like the bigger metaphors here, which I suspect the native americans understood too?
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Yes, the bigger metaphors, as you put it, are from Native American lore (with a bit of my own tweaking.
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How to grab the essence of some members of God’s Creation!
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Wonders of creation!!!
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oh my… this grabbed hold from the first stanza. a powerful piece. strong. rich. leaving me inspired. thank you… 🙂
kellie
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Thanks for visiting, Kellie
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Nature is a never ending source of myth and nourishment, and your poem plays on those themes well. I’m trying to think of a context where I’ve seen Ravens associated with creation–normally a bit darker symbol. A light and soaring piece, Victoria. Enjoyed it.
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I think I used the raven in connection with creation in the sense of the circle of life: destruction/creation. Thanks for your comment Joyann.
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I feel so close to our beautiful feathered beings. They enrich my life so much. Thanks for putting it into words for me.
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This morning I hear, for the first time this season, the song of a mockingbird. I’m smiling!
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I love how cheerful they sound just singing away!
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Built in happiness.
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you seem to be made of many things 🙂
my potluck contribution:
http://maritsfuckingblogging.blogspot.com/2011/01/love-pulls-darkness-near.html
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I suppose we all are, Marit
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Every word in your poem is written to tell a story and each word has a meaning. I love reading your poems for thire way of symbolize the many way profound in our lives.
Thanks for sharing ❤
S. Sharp
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Thank you Shadiatique, for your encouragement.
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you are everything Godly and Lovely…
beautiful entry.
A++
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Thank you, dear Jingle.
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Beautiful!!! I love how each stanza is dedicated to a different bird and bird quality. I also find these wonderful creatures to be spiritual reminders.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it Jade.
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What a poem! simply splendid. loved all the descriptions.
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Thanks for both your comments, Trisha. Happy potluck.
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have a beautiful week ahead and a very happy potluck to you too.
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You have a beautiful week, too, Trisha.
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the eagle has significance and you used it wel in this poem.
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Thank you, Chim.
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Beautiful! I especially like the dove and the adjective ‘mourning’.
http://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/rain/
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nice liv and it says so in all your attempts in all your poems- very precisely written with great precision and care.. here’s my potluck.. http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/06/19/my-whole-world/
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“I am…
the joy of Hummingbird
dancing in the morning dew,
drinking golden nectar,
nourishing your soul.”
I love the symbolisms represented and the profound imagery incorporated. An excellent poem.
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Amazing writing, i love your thoughts, thanks for posting.
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