The Hoopoe Bird

 

It’s the bird in me

Mad, mad Hoopoe Bird

Hardly flying, minding the burrows

Picking phrases like fat worms

Swallowing them whole

I wonder if a lightning bug still shines

Lighting my craw like dwindling embers

 

You should write this down

You should show the world

Preening your come get me feathers

Batting your soulless black eyes

 

Have you heard my cries

Sad, sad Hoopoe Bird

In that distant desert land

I run to the next boulder

Wearing my crown, craning

I wonder if a mosquito still buzzes

Echoing in my craw like a cicada sighing

 

You should write this down

You should show the world

Picking your mate from your adoring fans

Showering them with soulless black lies

 

Corey Rowley

Copyright 2022

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

One of those feathers must surely be a poet's quill but the lines I appreciate the most are those which are honest and real and human. They aren't always the prettiest or the most elegant but life isn't always pretty and elegant and art often imitates life, even poetry. I think poetry often enhances the experience to some degree. leaving us reeling in a drunken stupor of emotion. I enjoyed the read!

[W. Barrett Munn]

Astounding how you create. Very impressive.
W.

[Crowley]

Thanks you so much! You have graced multiple times today and I really appreciate it!

[Neville]

I've seen many Hoopoe's on my travels .. there are loads in Africa .. I've seen them in Egypt, Bulgaria and India too .. They are are rareish visitor to the UK as well .. There, sad innit I'm just a sad old horneythologist ...................... an intriguing post Crowley that has got me scratching my crown and .. nah I aint gonna go there :)

[Crowley]

They seem to be kind of like the road runners we have here. Thanks Neville!!

[Neville]

you are always so very welcome C ............ N :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Corey, I've got to admit you really had me scratching my head on this one. I've never heard of a hoopoe bird! I thought you were pulling my leg, so I had to look it up, and there REALLY is a hoopoe bird! I can imagine how he shrieks with the plumage of feathers sitting atop his head. You know, I've really learned something here. You truly amaze the senses with this caliber of writing. One I could only hope to aspire to!

Good to see you, my friend! Hope all is well!

[Crowley]

I only learned about the bird from a Michener Novel I'm listening to. Thanks for coming by!!! Its always great to see you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"batting the soulless black eyes"
is that what we become if we don't write this down or if we do?
this is a fascinating write...In second stanza, I read third line as "feathers"---
Is that true?

preening feathers, preening words, showing the world our soul...

Poets do bare it all if they are honest to their feelings...
j.

[Crowley]

Lol...thanks for the catch! I was reading the source by Michener and the Hoopoe bird was in a part of it. There was a prompt that I did and this is what I came up with. You are spot on, they do want to do that at times. Thanks Jacob.