How to fly

under the cover of bright orange Zinnias...

I fell for a northern Flicker with a gentle expression   

His mating involved bill touching, bobbing, 

and spreading wings...   

Being a female southern Flicker, I returned his favor by 

dancing and calling wick-a-wick-a-wick-a...  

with intervals of seduction and a bit of plucking...  

I knew we would mate for life and my intention was 

to be his wife for better or for worse... 

until death us do part... 

Mating among the Zinnia's is a romantic rendezvous 

and a possible coup... a brilliant, sudden, and usually 

successful stroke of luck... 

We will share the responsibility of teaching our 

offspring "How to fly"... 

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I enjoyed the bird watching. Watching a toddler climb 15 ft high steps...it's the sort of thing we do in the park around here. And we try not to distract her by yelling, "hold on" ...but we are there to catch her at the bottom of the "big kid" slide. I love the birds.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Fabian... we share so much in common with the birds and their parenting instincts. Little ones love to slide down in play slides in the park and land like little birds that fly with beaks to look for nourishment and refreshment. truly, Pat

[Pete]

yes, great personification of these wonderful creatures of the air. indeed we do share that responsibility. so lovely and bursting with truth, wisdom & insight regarding natural love, mating, commitment and responsibility for the future. i could feel that I was one of those birds in the flowers. you've touched on so many great things. This made me think of the song "Learning To Fly" by Tom Petty. It made me think & smile. enjoyed this very much.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pete... how charming that you enjoyed "How to fly". Birds are amazing
and are very resourceful. I must look up the Tom Petty song-- Learning to fly. best of regards, Pat

[Paul Bell]

Birds seem to know how the world works.
This is nature at its best. Well done.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Paul... thanks for reading "How to fly". Birds have little in worldly possessions, but they survive in all kinds of weather and raise a family... they have a different "constitution".... a physical constitution. truly, Pat

[Paul Bell]

So true. They certainly don't moan like us.

[Patricia Wedel]

So true... we are averaging almost 100 degrees. Some persons are in the Emergecy room from heat exhaustion, by I am having Cool watermelon... Pat

[barleygirl]

SO BRILLIANT! I'm very impressed with your idea of personifying these feathery friends! I love the way you weave in true facts about this bird species. It's a creative way to teach about natural things. I love the way factual information is woven together with a realistic bird love story. Nice work! I'm inspired! (((HUGS)))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Margie... lovely to meet you. I really was touched by your review. My daughter Edie's two children Ethan 14 and Madeline 10 yrs old are fascinated by my love of birds and their singing. They have read a few of my poems about the romance of birds and always have a "grin" on their face. I will be happy to be remembered as the poet who wrote love stories about birds. Thanks again for your charming review. truly, Pat

[barleygirl]

I have a facebook friend who posts many photos of amazingly decorated birds every day. Your words are just as vivid as her pictures! I'm not knowledgeable about birds, but I love hearing from someone who is! *smile*

[Patricia Wedel]

Awww... you are a dear friend and a joy to know...
hugs, Pat

[emmajoy]

Dear Mrs. Flicker,
Smiled all the way through first and second time! What a delightful bird you are and undoubtedly much loved for your sense of humour, imagination and deep affection.. amongst the Zinnias. Yours, the Dorset Dreama. x

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Emmajoy... so happy my poem made you smile. Our feathered friends have quite a ritual when it comes to romance. It seems Dorset dream cottages are found in your country, and we live in a cottage here in Virginia USA... we have so many tall trees shading our home and the birds
seem to love our Haven. Our feral cats leave the birds to their own courting for the most part. May you stay in tune with the birds where you reside. Hugs, Pat

[emmajoy]

Your world reads to be beautiful... and that means you;re a 'happy bunny'! Looking at, listening to birds is one of my all.time favourites, especially first thing of a morning when out with my dogs. The sparrows flit, the blackbirds sing, and all the other birds do their thing! xx

[Patricia Wedel]

"Morning glory". Six am here in Fredericksburg, Virginia... predicted to be in 90's today. Have a wonderful day. Pat x

[emmajoy]

I will, I will.. i celebrated the waking of dawn with an opening of window so i could hear 'my' blackbird sing from the somewhere left. Cheeky rascal, waiting for me to appear with cuppa, chair and dampened crumb or few!

Have a glorious day, Pat. Hug it to you, wrap it around you... then, willl smile every minute! xx