The Poetics prompt today at dVerse Poets Pub is about signs. We had three choices:
a) recall an experience you’ve had where you’ve asked for a sign, or came upon a sign unasked-for, and interpreted it and write a poem about the experience, preferably in first person.
b) do some research and find a myth, legend, or story about asking for or interpreting signs and write a poem about what you find.
c) be the world creator and design your own signs and write a poem about it for others to be amazed and inspired by when they read it.
(I went with a).
The Sign That Opened My Ears
I don’t remember why we were talking about hummingbirds
I think you were telling me your brother had put up a feeder
and hummingbirds were coming to that little balcony
overlooking parked cars and traffic in the city.
Here, surrounded by trees, looking at the lake, I had just said,
“I’ve never seen hummingbirds out here,” and then VROOM
there he was, so close to my eye: his needle-like beak
could have pierced my iris.
His wings, vibrating so quickly they sounded like jet engines,
were invisible blurs at the sides of his tiny, shiny body.
“Ooo hummingbird,” I said,
and he darted away.
We sat stunned to silence
then both started laughing.
The tiny visitor was a sign, or a message from a joker god
Mother Nature telling me I just wasn’t paying attention.
Now I see him everywhere.
I know his sounds: his song, and his sharp chirp
at the height of his flight, yelling “look at me” to the pretty lady birds
before dive-bombing the bushes like a meteor hitting the atmosphere.
They are beautiful. I enjoyed your poem.❤️
Thank you.
How lovely 💕
Thank you.
Ha, this is so sweet, made me smile. What a wonderful experience… a great take on the prompt!
Thank you. Glad it made you smile.
p.s. ” a joker god
Mother Nature telling me I just wasn’t paying attention.”
spot on Maria!
p.s. the very same thing happened to me as I was walking a field wondering why there were no pheasants just as one flew up from my feet
Hummingbirds… such a blessing to be able to see them, and what a message that you have to look closely to see them.
I love reading poems about hummingbirds as we don’t have them here – and I love your backlit photo, Maria, and the way you describe the hummingbird’s movement and sound. I’m surprised he doesn’t take a bow!
Wow, Maria, this is lovely! How cool that this actually happened!
~David
Thank you.
I find birds often prod me to pay attention. I enjoyed your interaction. (K)
Glad you liked it.
They are wonderful creatures! Well done!
Thank you.
You are welcome.
Lovely poem about the Hummingbird and I love that you see the hummingbird everywhere. I have never seen one but I think they may be like our honeyeaters here in Oz. Birds seem to be the carrier of signs…as I too wrote of birds. 🙂
Thank you. Yes, birds of all kinds hold symbolism, messages, and omens.
Maria, such an extraordinary experience! It is like he was introducing himself to you. And what an invitation into his world <3
Thank you. I love semiotics and studying symbols. Thanks so much for the great prompt!
You’re welcome, Maria and glad the prompt resonated with you 🙂
Letters are symbols, words are symbols. Did you know that the great novelist Umberto Eco wrote books on semiotics? https://amzn.to/3RkrcL1
I use symbols in every aspect of my work. I’ve been fascinated with human symbols for half of my life.
Maria, I’m fascinated by them also, and am in a dream group where we deconstruct dreams using the symbols. Didn’t know about the Eco book. Another one to look into!