artwork by Bronwen R. Evans
it could have been a dove
we only heard its song
frosting the winter limbs
of the ancient oak
overlooking the grave
that waited patiently
we only saw its shadow
as my son’s hand
curled into mine
pulsing its grief
like a filigree wren
we only imagined a dove
(more likely a blackbird)
wings in marbled cloud
as the last rose fell
soft thud on pine
it was a dove he drew
white-feathered and free
lifting her skyward
to the top of his poem
words tearing the pageAbout Kate Young: Kate Young’s poetry has been published in journals including Stand, Fly on the Wall, Alchemy Spoon and Poetry Scotland. It can be heard on the Podcast Poetry Worth Hearing. Fear was placed 2nd in The Canterbury Poet of the Year Competition, 2022. Her pamphlets A Spark in the Darkness and Beyond the School Gate have been published by Hedgehog Press. Find her on X @Kateyoung12poet or her website www.kateyoungpoet.co.uk
A heartfelt thank you to all submitters to the second prompt ‘The Spark’. Your work has enthused me and reminded me of just how special a certain moment or experience can be. Thank you also for making the task of choosing a poem incredibly difficult by providing such varied and intricate words of love for nature.
In response to the prompt we’ve had reminiscings of family outings and wisdom, questions of the universe and cosmos, first sightings and sounds of birds and insects, playful and observant interactions of creatures and habitats, and evidence of the transformational power of nature and how an experience can change one´s world entirely.
I’m so glad you all enjoyed this exercise. It is so reassuring to know that we are all out there, having magical moments that continue to ignite our love of birds, landscapes, and the natural world. Look out for the next prompt soon, I do hope you’ll feel inspired to share more of your connections to birds and nature with me. I related to a lot of the poems in their surprise and curiosity at new creatures.
The chosen poem is ‘it could have been a dove’, by Kate Young. What really struck me about this piece is how it embraces nature as a witness; ever present and calling to us during pinnacle moments, helping to cement memories in their sensory entirety. I also appreciated its reflections of bird mannerisms and how it approaches its natural subject with acceptance, a sense of the unknown, and love. This work reminded me that sometimes, our spark moments come to us when we are most in need. Thank you Kate.
-Bronwen R. Evans
A wee reminder that submissions over at The Wee Sparrow Haiku Nook are open until the 15th of May. Send Marc three of your very best haiku inspired by this month in your part of the world.
We also have another Ekphrastic Challenge for you coming soon…
Happy writing!
Wonderful poem, words fluttered like wings and felt smooth like feathers
A terrific poem.