Tara, this is one of your greatest performances most charming and inspiring poems yet. I’m woefully behind on my April challenge. But this one may light a fire.
As a kid, I had a field guide to British birds (or Birds of the British Isles, I forget the exact title). It taught me so much, and I treasured its mud-spattered pages (I lived on a farm) for years afterwards. Sadly, it flew off somewhere years ago and never came back.
Glad you enjoyed reading, Jeffrey. I have a Sibley's Guide that I keep close by the window that looks out on the bird feeders. There's a cemetery nearby that is a popular stopover for migrating warblers. We're getting close the time when they'll be coming through again. Birds are so delightful to watch.
They are spectacular little creatures. They make the most amazing trills. We had to always check our grill on the deck before turning it on and relocate any that were inside. I think they liked the resonance in there. Kind of like human singers love the sound in bathrooms, I imagine.
Your post and poem have me thinking back to my World Book encyclopedias. I loved to sit and leaf through them, so much information at my fingertips -- wondering if I would ever 'know' it all. And, I must confess, I am still seduced into buying a book that is a compendium of information. Especially if there are pictures. :)
Thanks, Petra! We had a complete set of the Audubon Enclyclopedias growing up. Birds, mammals, reptiles. My favorite was the T volume with picture of a scarlet tanager. I used to page through them for hours.
I love the humor and fancifulness of wild flower names. Pearly Everlasting, Lesser Duckweed, Butter and Eggs! Who came up with them and how can I get that job?
This is such a lovely poem. An Ode to Field Guides really. I never know the names of things. It reminds me of one of my favorite poets, Carolyn Miller, who is good friend too.
Thank you so much for reading. I'm so happy you enjoyed this one. I never took the time to get to know the wildflower and creatures until the kids starting asking me... like I would know! But now I just love looking up the names. It's like being formally introduced.
I love the poem, Tara! It reminds me of summers in New England. I've been reading about lexicalization lately, and how naming the parts of the world around us helps us to see them more vividly. You capture that experience beautifully.
Tara, this is one of your greatest performances most charming and inspiring poems yet. I’m woefully behind on my April challenge. But this one may light a fire.
Thank you, Mary. So kind. 💕
I really enjoyed the poem, Tara!
As a kid, I had a field guide to British birds (or Birds of the British Isles, I forget the exact title). It taught me so much, and I treasured its mud-spattered pages (I lived on a farm) for years afterwards. Sadly, it flew off somewhere years ago and never came back.
Glad you enjoyed reading, Jeffrey. I have a Sibley's Guide that I keep close by the window that looks out on the bird feeders. There's a cemetery nearby that is a popular stopover for migrating warblers. We're getting close the time when they'll be coming through again. Birds are so delightful to watch.
Gray tree frog.
I had to double take your photo of frog-toad. It looks like optical illusion of a cat- toad. The placement of eyes are a sight to see.
They are spectacular little creatures. They make the most amazing trills. We had to always check our grill on the deck before turning it on and relocate any that were inside. I think they liked the resonance in there. Kind of like human singers love the sound in bathrooms, I imagine.
Blue spring anemones sound lovely!
Your post and poem have me thinking back to my World Book encyclopedias. I loved to sit and leaf through them, so much information at my fingertips -- wondering if I would ever 'know' it all. And, I must confess, I am still seduced into buying a book that is a compendium of information. Especially if there are pictures. :)
Thanks, Petra! We had a complete set of the Audubon Enclyclopedias growing up. Birds, mammals, reptiles. My favorite was the T volume with picture of a scarlet tanager. I used to page through them for hours.
The magic of a proper name ... ! Enchantment for children and grownups alike.
I love the humor and fancifulness of wild flower names. Pearly Everlasting, Lesser Duckweed, Butter and Eggs! Who came up with them and how can I get that job?
This is such a lovely poem. An Ode to Field Guides really. I never know the names of things. It reminds me of one of my favorite poets, Carolyn Miller, who is good friend too.
Thank you so much for reading. I'm so happy you enjoyed this one. I never took the time to get to know the wildflower and creatures until the kids starting asking me... like I would know! But now I just love looking up the names. It's like being formally introduced.
I love the poem, Tara! It reminds me of summers in New England. I've been reading about lexicalization lately, and how naming the parts of the world around us helps us to see them more vividly. You capture that experience beautifully.