Photo: David Slotto April 2011
This poem is in response to One Stop Poetry’s invitation to write an Octain, a poetic form developed by fellow poet/blogger Luke Prater. Visit their site to learn about Octains, read other emerging and seasoned poets and, perhaps, write one of your own. http://onestoppoetry.com/
As I was pondering a subject for mine I glanced out the window of my treehouse/office and a hummingbird was hovering–I guess to thank me for putting out the feeder. He’s still here! I couldn’t resist using this photo of the Leucistic Hummingbird that frequented our feeder while we were in Palm Desert over the winter.
The Call of Spring
An Octain
Outside my window, should I look,
a hummingbird has taken wing
while nightingale begins to sing.
A quail emerges from her nook
for her dirt bath beside the path
that moseys down along the brook.
Attending to the call of spring
to go outside, I close my book.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Very dear and relatable poem. Well written. Thank you! Enjoyed much.
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I would have gladly put down my book to visit that scenery. I sure do love that sweet little white hummingbird!
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A lovely spring poem, my friend! The form is a neat variation on a sonnet or decima.
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Very nice Victoria… as usual.. thanks for trying my Octain
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It was a pleasure. Very pleasing form to work with. I’m sure it won’t be my last. Will try to be a better participant on Fb. It’s so helpful to receive critique.
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Love the message in this, since experience is often a far better way to live than through the filter of a book. Not knocking a good read, though. 😀
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Great take on the powerful pull of nature.
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Love the words of this octain 😀
I believe it would be a sin to NOT go outdoors whilst nature calls in such a way…or at least appreciate it from our windows.
Chloe xx
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oh i wish we had hummingbirds where i live…a beautiful octain victoria…flows like the song of the bird. the only line which stops the flow a bit is: for her dirt bath beside the path because the stress is on “for” – maybe you could change it to “her DIRT bath X beSIDE the PATH – then it’s iambic – but can’t find a fitting word for X at the moment..
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Good observation, Claudia. Let me mull it over.
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I wonder why you chose not to repeat the first line at the end? I think it would have worked rather well…
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Call it old age! I forgot. :0)
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Oh, very nice! Worth closing the book for :o)
Thanks for visiting my blog as well.
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Have no idea what an octain is, but going to find out for sure. I did try the sestain, very difficult, as its a style I know nothing of, but where theres a will theres a way.
Sometimes, it just so right, to close the book/leave the dishes/stop watching tv and just go outside. Lovely piece with another mention of birds. I get the impression you love birds as much as I do.
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this is beautiful. feels just like spring- thats for sure.
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lovely 🙂
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Wow! Spring sure has come and is lovely.
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Lovely, I love the twist to the first line/last line. Clever.
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Spring indeed has the most beautiful window’s view. Closing a book, to go outside and read the story of nature! Nice!
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Ah spring and you sing such a joyous song in this Octain
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Wonderful confirmation of well-ordered priorities!
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Beautiful view from your window. Loved your octain.
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Sweet and lovely ~.^ smiling!
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Love this , it was so sweet.
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What a stunning hummingbird! And a lovely verse to go along with it. Thank you for sharing! Blessings to you, Victoria…
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I enjoyed this poem very much Victoria. the words woke me like a hummingbird and made me happy is was Spring.
loved the “to go outside, I close my book.”
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Very pretty. Would love to be looking outside your window!
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Sweet and fresh !! you inspired me again I must admit ..
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