as a hawk wanders, willful
silence in shadow and sky
though the form is solid—there!
in that bough—you must wait
and wait, grounded
in patience
Would it surprise you
to know the tenuous tether?
What talisman?
What needle’s-eye path
back to hearth?
It bears no explanation
(no bribe or call
but your quiet breath
brings me back)
1. I have been reading Helen Macdonald’s H Is for Hawk. 2. Jenifer is inspiring me with her magical cave poems.
Graceful Press Poetry 
I love this–such beautiful language! It’s very musical–I could hear it in my head. It’s also very sensory (is that a thing?)–the hawk, the watcher, the seeing, the breath–and the “tenuous tether.”
I haven’t read the book, but I remember hearing about it. Probably on NPR. 🙂
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Thank you! and yes, Science Friday some time ago 🙂
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I like that “willful” hanging there at the end of the first line and “silence in shadow and sky” and “your quiet breath brings me back” – so intimate, I imagine it whispered, barely audible. This whole piece reminds me of my wonderful boss who just retired yesterday – he’s a birder and will be spending his time now travelling and following the birds. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?
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It does sound wonderful! I’m trying to learn & pay more attention to the birds. My husband has always loved them. But this H is for Hawk book!–rich and powerful. I think it will inspire more poems in time.
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I’ll have to look into it. My grandparents always loved and knew lots about birds so I think I absorbed that unconsciously. I look forward to more bird poems from you!
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Not sure how I missed this! Wow. I love the tension between wandering and attachment you have drawn out here, between stealth and familiarity … magical, magical.
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Thank you. This one felt good in the writing.
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I could tell! Sometimes, we need to let the joy take over!!
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