The Christmas Sparrow
The first thing I heard this morning
was a rapid flapping sound, soft, insistent—
wings against glass as it turned out
downstairs when I saw the small bird
rioting in the frame of a high window,
trying to hurl itself through
the enigma of glass into the spacious light.
Then a noise in the throat of the cat
who was hunkered on the rug
told me how the bird had gotten inside,
carried in the cold night
through the flap of a basement door,
and later released from the soft grip of teeth.
On a chair, I trapped its pulsations
in a shirt and got it to the door,
so weightless it seemed
to have vanished into the nest of cloth.
But outside, when I uncupped my hands,
it burst into its element,
dipping over the dormant garden
in a spasm of wingbeats
then disappeared over a row of tall hemlocks.
For the rest of the day,
I could feel its wild thrumming
against my palms as I wondered about
the hours it must have spent
pent in the shadows of that room,
hidden in the spiky branches
of our decorated tree, breathing there
among the metallic angels, ceramic apples, stars of yarn,
its eyes open, like mine as I lie in bed tonight
picturing this rare, lucky sparrow
tucked into a holly bush now,
a light snow tumbling through the windless dark.
Perfect for my freezing drive back from Minneapolis, Penny.
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Safe travel, Andra. It’s cold day to be driving, especially from the Twin Cities.
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I love this poem … a perfect way to move through the month … thanks for posting… BC is one of my favorite poets.
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Mine as well, Teresa. There are so many lines I keep returning to, especially as it snowed today.
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A lovely poem. Billy Collins is Anton’s favorite poet and I’m going to share this with him! He just mentioned to me that Collins has put out a new book of poems, did this come from it?
Great to be back checking out your blog again – finally! I love the new Christmas look! I hope you had a nice Christmas Penny and wish you and your family all the best for 2014! 🙂
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Janet, it was Anton who first brought Billy Collins to my attention, several moons ago, at the Chocolate Moon (pun intended) when he first went to college. He was home on break. This tall, handsome young lad, reading poetry in the Moon, and he encouraged me to read Billy Collins. I believe this is from his latest 2013 book. I picked it up at Barnes & Noble, put it down. I may need to pick it up again, and buy it!
Glad to see you here. Life gets in the way, doesn’t it? Thank you. WordPress is so generous with the snow and one easy click. We had a quieter Christmas than most, with Tom’s eye recovery, but, it was as nice as could be, with a few nice family meals. I hope yours was pleasant as well, Janet.
Happy New Year. Hope to see you soon.
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What a perfect winter poem but then Collins is a favorite of mine also. This is everything a poem should be. I was fearful until I saw “released from the soft grip of teeth”. From a feline point of view, the sparrow was a gift and never in danger. I speak from experience!
Although it seems you know most of your readers, you always make me feel welcome. Sometimes quiet celebrations are the best as they draw us closer together. We had 2 sick kitties and made trips to the vet most of the month. They are both doing well now.
We had a meal at home with plenty of heat. A pox on Cracker Barrel here! I just had to clear that up.
Happy New Yea and many good wishes for all the best of everything.
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Your experience with cats has served you well, Marilyn. I agree; it is a perfect poem for winter and I just had to share it here. It is from a new volume of Billy Collins, which I am now longing for.
It warms my heart to hear that you feel welcome here, Marilyn, for you most definitely are. There are quite a few readers I know very well, but, many who I’ve come to know here, just as I’ve come to know you.
You’re right. Quiet celebrations do draw us closer together. This year, because of circumstances, we’ve spent most of our time here, and it has been a nice, slow pace, not the quickly ending holidays. Glad to hear that the two kitties are doing well now. Sounds like a month of car trips, medicine, and worry.
Thanks for clearing the Cracker Barrel up.
It suddenly occurred to me tonight that tomorrow is New Year’s Eve (see, I told you it’s been a nice slow pace). A nice meal here is on the agenda and a quiet night. We are both looking forward to heralding in 2014. Thank you, Marilyn, and a Happy New Year to you as well as many good wishes.
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Dearest Penny, I have been remiss in wishing you a happy birthday, a merry Christmas and hope to get this Happy New Year greeting to you before the Ball Drops! Hope all is well with your husband’s health.
I love Billy Collins. I am not familiar with this poem, but it has already become one of my favorites. He never misses, does he?
“For the rest of the day, I could feel its wild thrumming against my palms…”
I look forward to my visits to The Cutoff in 2014.
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Thank you, Belle, for all your good wishes. Tom is recovering nicely. It will be some time before we know what sight he will have, but, eye is healing well. I appreciate your asking.
No, Belle, he never misses. This is from his latest volume (2013). I want to see what more gems he holds in his new book.
Isn’t that a precious line? I’m held birds in my hands. Collins captures the feeling perfectly.
Happy New Year, Belle.
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What a treat, Penny. Just fabulous writing. Glad Tom is recovering steadily. Thinking go you.
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Sorry! What a treat, Penny. Just fabulous writing. Glad Tom is recovering steadily. Thinking of you.
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Thank you, dear Kate. Billy Collins is a poet of renown here. As a cat lover, I was sure you would appreciate his words. Best wishes for the New Year there at the Shrewsday Manor, with your wonderful children, husband, and that exuberant extended family.
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Penny, I really love the way you keep introducing me to poems I would never find unaided. In this case I’ve never even heard of Billy Collins, but must look for more by him. So glad to hear Tom is recovering well.
Happy New Year, dear friend across the pond.
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Oh, do seek him out, Perpetua. His words are full of wonder. As another of the many cat lovers who frequent the Cutoff, I thought you might enjoy this poem. Thank you. We are so very grateful that his recovery has been smooth. Still appreciate prayers, from near and far, and especially from you.
Happy New Year to you as well, Perpetua. Here’s to a healthy 2014 from your cottage to ours.
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Lovely poem; thank you Penny.
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You are very welcome, Juliet. Thinking of you in all that warmth right now.
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Another poet I haven’t previously been introduced to and I think this is a fabulous story within a poem. I really enjoyed every word. I am sitting here on NYE just sorting through some of my paperwork and enjoying the day, listening to an old Moody Blues CD…a little otherworldly in its way…this poem fit in with a little solitude. I must get to know Billy Collins better. ox
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You might enjoy exploring some of Billy Collins’ poetry, Debra. He is worth the adventure. What a nice vignette you paint of your day there, as the year comes to an end, on the west coast with the Moody Blues (oh my, it’s been a while since I’ve listened to them). It sounds like a pleasant and productive day.
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Reblogged this on Lavender Turquois.
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Thank you so much for reblogging this. It is such a great Billy Collins poem – and you have such a nice site, which I hope to return to again for a closer look.
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Loved the poem and the pic. Beautiful.
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It is such a wonderful poem, isn’t it? Billy Collins is a favorite. Thank you for commenting.
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