Red-Winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-Winged Blackbird

There is nothing like
walking nonchalantly
along my hiking trail
when suddenly
I'm dive-bombed
by a protective
red-winged blackbird.

It sits high
on an electric wire,
surveying the world
in every direction,
as if daring
someone --
someone like me --
to pass.

Who would think
there could be
such hostility
between bird
and human?

But its tactic works.

Now whenever I see
that bird
on its wire,
I take another path.

The bird has made
its point --

and wins!

****

(For those unfamiliar with red-wingbed blackfirds:  This bird is very territorial in Wisconsin from mid-March until mid to late July, peaking in aggressiveness during its breedingand nesting season.  I have been
dive-bombed by one of them, and it is not fun.)

Survival Mode

My Sweet Olive

Survival Mode

Zumba in the morning at 7:45
A wonderful beginning to my day
Hear the beat, move my feet
All my worries fade away.

Walk the treadmill as I read a book
Never mind the incessant news
Work on staying healthy and fit
Clear my mind of negative views.

Cuddle a dog and comb her fur
Look into her big black eyes
She is dependent on me for care
But she is an angel in disguise.

We all must find a way to survive
This difficult and troubled time
I try to distract myself as I can
Don't mind a glass or two of wine.

At times I cannot distract myself
By one or another of my ploys
I find myself scared out of my mind
And robbed of most of my joys.

And It Was a Night Like This

And It Was a Night Like This

And it was a night like this
northern and distant and young,
and the stars seemed so wise
and the moon was yellow and plump

As we walked Lake Michigan's shore
laughing and sharing heartfelt stories
we paused to sit on a lakeside rock
to contemplate the stars and the waves.

Somber silence quickly overcame us
as he began to speak, and his stories
went even deeper as he disclosed 
what he had always hesitated to say

What he shared changed dreams forever
my future took a different turn, and
though my heart was momentariy broken
our hearts remained bonded for life

And it was a night like this
northern and distant and young,
and the stars seemed so wise
and the moon was yellow and plump

-------------

The italicized words were taken from a poem by the Danish poet Tove Ditlevsen's "And It Was a Night Like This"

Looking For the Good Parts

 Looking for the Good Parts

I try to look for the good parts -

the shimmer of Lake Michigan waves on a sunny fall day,
as they roll into the shore with grace and tenderness

the few trees that are beginning to change colors,
the first kisses of good-bye to summer

algae that makes the small lakes chartreuse green,
the occasional ripples that disrupt their stillness

the well-marked woodchipped paths that guide
through the silent forest, with flowers now past prime.

There is so much beauty in our world when we slow down
enough to pay attention to the good parts.

For  Susan's prompt:  " What's Going On" Open Link