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murmuration

sometimes
i watch

starlings
gather

on power lines

first, just a few
and soon hundreds

side by side
symmetrical

quiet, waiting

until, as if
a perfect note

trembles beneath
their wings

they lift in flight

like so many ribbons
in a ballet

swirling to the left
soaring upwards

returning to center

resting when it's time to rest
then rising, like a symphony

inspired to fly...

About This Poem

Last Few Words: This phenomenon has always tugged at my heart.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

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Comments

Clentin

Clentin

1 year 8 months ago

The title I found to be a

The title I found to be a great title. I had to look it up and found that it defines the gathering of starlings.
Good poem, great title. It makes one think!

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 8 months ago

Hello, Clentin,

Watching this elegant occurrence has always intrigued me.
Thank you for reading!
L

RoseBlack

RoseBlack

1 year 8 months ago

Something

I used to sit and watch when outside or in my parents pool. I often wondered what they were doing on those wires or poles and what they were thinking or talking about with each other. I love the form you used for this. The pauses gave the reader time to think about each stanza and what was happening. Great work!

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 8 months ago

Hello, Carrie,

Yes! I've wondered what they were thinking about, too. I wanted to leave off punctuation and stay with lowercase to keep it as light as possible, and give space between thoughts. Thank you for reading!
L

M4GG0TM3NT4L

M4GG0TM3NT4L

1 year 8 months ago

interesting,,

i really like the formatting in the stanzas. your use of language is very pretty, and makes me think vividly of a swan, if that makes sense. pretty simple over all (thats not a bad thing). i look forward to reading more of your work!

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 8 months ago

Hello, Soph,

Thoughts of a swan - lovely! I was hoping the poem was graceful and simple, much like the beautiful flight of the starlings.
Thank you for reading and sharing such kind words,
L