the delicate art of living–a quadrille at dVerse for Viv

Photo: David Slotto, Leucistic Hummingbird, April 2011

the delicate art of living
a quadrille for Viv

my heart follows
as she flits, dances
from flower to bud
sipping with joy
of life’s abundant nectar,

savoring each moment
of this brief séjour,
leaving behind
such sweetness of word-pollen,

placing with care each stitch
into the textured,
colorful fabric
of life’s journey

Today, our first day back at dVerse Poets’ Pub, we are thinking of our friend, Viv, who we lost while we were on break. The prompt is to write a Quadrille, a poem of exactly 44 words, that includes the word JOURNEY.

Some of Viv’s Quilts found on her blog

That Was the Year of Black and White

Source Unknown

That Was the Year of Black and White

That was the year of blackbirds feeding
on the lush lawn outside the window
of the room where my sister lay dying.

That was the year of black aphids
on the cherry trees—slowly gnawing,
slowly sucking dry hope of harvest.

That was the year of black clouds
pushing in from the West, banking
over the Sierra, withholding rain.

That was the year of a white hummingbird,
feathers like snow on that Easter morn.
That was the year of faith.

 

Photo: David Slotto

Linked for the “Black and White” prompt at dVerse Poetics–please join us. These little scenes are true, but actually occurerd in different years.

For the Birds–Monday Meanderings

I have a great appreciation for the beauty of birds. They teach us to depend on nature, to live in the present moment, to enjoy the freedom we are given, to fly in a manner of speaking. Today, I’ll simply share a few photos taken by my husband.

If you feed them, they will come.

(Copyright: David Slotto 2014. Kindly request permission to use them.)

Feeding Time
A Twice Daily Event
Palm Desert 2011
Photo: D. Slotto

Quail
Reno, NV
2013
Photo: D. Slotto

Cedar Waxwing
Reno
2011
Photo: D. Slotto

Leucistic Hummingbird
Palm Desert CA
2011
Photo: D. Slotto

Bullock Oriole
Reno, NV
2012
Photo: D. Slotto

The Call of Spring–An Octain

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.

Special Post–Leucistic Hummingbird

D. Slotto 4/2011

D. Slotto 4/2011

D. Slotto 4/2011

We are receiving frequent visits from a pure white (Leucistic) hummingbird.

He is friendly when we approach him at the feeder and has even flown up to my husband who has been able to take a number of photos.

Leucistic hummingbirds are rare, but albino hummers are rarer. Leucistic hummers have dark eyes, while those of albinos are pink. These small birds are vulnerable to predators because of their light color.

In American Indian lore, hummingbirds represent joy. White is a symbol of purity and truth.

PURE JOY

 My husband, David, took these photos. We do not have photoshopping capabilities here but when we return home he will work with them and many other photos he has captured.

This little fellow inspired the poem I submitted to Poetry Potluck: https://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/revelation-poetry-potlucks-theme-of-art-music-and-poetry/

For more information on this beautiful little creatures, visit: http://www.rubythroat.org/AlbinoMain.html