The Marsh

The Marsh

 

 

Migrating birds

of egrets,

glossy ibis

and blue heron

descend from a pallid  sky,

foraging wet fields

and hollow reeds of the marsh.

As the tranquility of morning unfolds

like a ballet upon water.

Reviews

[Titilayo Sarah Eguridu]

The calm this piece elicits from me is priceless.
Your choice of words are magical Kelley.

[Kelly Scheppers]

There are times when my muse utterly delights me. Thank you most kindly, Titilayo!

[Titilayo Sarah Eguridu]

You're welcome Kelley

[Ken e Bujold]

Serenity in the midst of madness. Or at least that's what comes to mind as I read this little gem of yours Kelly. Migrating birds, the metaphor of the seeker, the displaced. The beauty of nature so beautifully expressed, calling us to immerse ourselves in the pureness of another day.

Ken

[Kelly Scheppers]

How it pleases me to have your presence here, Ken. Thank you!

[MCS]

Lovely visuals you’ve given us with these words. It reminded me of a bumper sticker I saw a few weeks ago: Like the birds that sing at dawn, let us greet each new day with praise and gratitude.

[Kelly Scheppers]

"...to greet each day with praise and gratitude." So apropos of the past two weeks I've endured. My brother had a stroke and died on the 28th. I purposely leave my window cracked open through the night, just to awaken to the sounds of birds singing. Praise and gratitude for a life well lived. Thank you, Mary.

[MCS]

My friend, I’m so very sad to learn of your recent loss. I’ll say a prayer for you and your brother. Please accept my deepest condolences.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, Mary. I deeply appreciate your condolences.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Sounds so beautiful I want to hike over and picnic on the shore with a pair of binoculars and watch the show. You paint wonderfully with words, my friend. F.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your reviews have a tendency to stir my soul. Thank you, Fabian!

[red93]

I love this Kels, it actually echoes so many British Poets with their descriptions of Fens and Estuaries, and the birds that frequent them. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

Much appreciate the compliment, Tony. Thank you!

[Vol]

Kelly,
My father was a sculptor of birds, Water fowl, birds of prey, upland game birds... won international awards, so I love it when folks take a moment to see and appreciate their "Ballet."
Vol

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's pretty mesmerizing to see! Thanks, Vol!

[redzone]

Hi Kelly, what a wonderful and calming poem you have written. I say calming because when I lived with my son, there was a creek behind his house and I would sit on the back deck enjoying nature and drinking my morning brew. Believe it or not, there were a few occasions when a Blue Heron would stop by the creek to eat his/her breakfast. I never realized they would migrate this far north (Pennsylvania) until this Heron visited.

Of course you used the word "tranquil" in your poem, but your poem actually took me to my time sitting on the deck and watching this Heron fish and yes, its movement on the water was like watching ballet!!! I love how your poetry always moves me, Kelly. Thank you
-Curt

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Curt. So wonderful to hear my words could take you there!

[Lorry]

Don't all our feathered friends make spring even more colourful and hope filled?
I imagined reading this from a visitors (aliens) perspective as well as that of a child and thought "would they think everything could fly" and I reckon the answer to both would be yes. I'm gonna check out any babies reaction next time they see birds to see if they begin to flap their arms in the hope of flying off to follow the birds!
But now that I think about it, I can just see the question mark eyebrow look I'd get by starting with the words "honest officer, I just wanted to see if the kid flew!" 😃
I'd be in the big room with bouncy wallpaper and wraparound coat before I could say "it's all been a terrible mistake!" 😃

[Kelly Scheppers]

I used to have dreams of flying when I was a child. I guess we lose that innocence as we grow, but I still remember it with such clarity. To imagine the thought process of the young is staggering on so many levels. Too bad we outgrow it. Thanks, Lorry!

[Einstein Noodle]

graceful ballet or dismal swamp .. i like the former .. such magnificent birds of the marshlands .. reeds swaying whispers .. mmmmmmmmm
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Oh, the eloquence of your delivery! Thank you, Gene!

[Pete]

loved that last line. so graceful and peaceful. your words do them justice. here near me, there is a bike path where old train tracks once were. i ride it often and there is marsh where i always stop and see if i can spot one. i feel blessed and privileged when i do. thanks for sharing innocent beauty and peace.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am thrilled to find that each review so far has been of an actual sighting of these graceful beings in flight. That bike path sounds like a lost treasure you've discovered, Pete. Thank you for bringing my words to life...and to light!