Fliers.

 

 

Fliers.

 

There it lay weightless and waiting until a breeze
lifted it's gossamer frame
and silently floated its presence away.

 

That marvel of strong fragility which tho' covered
with patches of under-down
was intelligently patterned for rigidity.

 

Feather-perfection can when attached raise aloft
any hollow bird-bones, taking
to hovering heights outstretched wings.

 

Feather-borne fliers skim the sky, drift on thermals,
quiver in ether,
stay afloat, dive when keened by fiercest of winds,
feel warm throughout
chilly nights and successfully brood nestfulls of kith
and kin by fluffing up heat or cool.
Fine tufted smoothness surrounding dense matter
gives thistledown buoyance
and hooked strength to feather-mass schooled in
usefully dressing dove or predator.

Praise for the sight of discriminate beauty within
such flimsy wonders as this.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Very nicely expressed Fay. I have always been fascinated by feathers and dandelion seeds. White feathers are sent from angels so I have been told, reminding us of departed souls.Their movement is sublime, especially when caught in a gentle breeze or even a gust. Your lines are rich in imagery, movement and language.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

Hello Chris - - Thanks for your visit and review and yes I agree a feather is fascinatingly constructed - - I tried to express its multi layered mass that makes for rigidity - - I too love to catch a feather floating in breeze. I really appreciate your encouraging comments on my efforts to write poetry which pleases and am delighted you liked the read..

[Chris Shaw]

I did enjoy the read Fay. I also saw your feather in slow motion, which was even better, adding to the grace of movement.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed a wonderful analysis of the biology/physical properties of the feather in all its complexities and its wonders.

[Fay Slimm]

My gratitude both for your visit and review of my little tribute - and am pleased you enjoyed the read John