Tag Archives: pelicans

Poem of the Day

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Fields in Flood

For weeks now the wind has been keening,

cascading its tears into creeks

sobbing small streams into torrents,

the torrents now springing small leaks.

 

Around us the rivers are rising,

wet-fisted they break sodden banks,

huddling the sheep in their paddocks,

drowning the grass round their shanks.

 

Floodwaters bury the highway

choking the freight and the fields

and pelicans thunder the sky-way,

casting their rods and their reels.

Alys Jackson

Alys said: I wrote this poem after visiting NSW recently and hearing about the devastating floods that cut off the Newell Highway. The farmer I spoke to told me that hundreds of pelicans appeared from nowhere to feed on the fish in the floodwaters.

Poem of the Day

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High Tea

 

When pelicans are flying low,

With open beaks they say “Hello”

To any fish they gladly see

That could provide a tasty tea,

For like a furry flippered seal,

They do enjoy a fishy meal.

 

So after taking time to greet,

These hungry birds prepare to eat,

(While under beaks, there hangs a store

For extra, should they want some more).

Then up they rise to sail the sky:

Their beaks too full to say “Goodbye”!

 

Monty Edwards
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #28

Poetry Prompt #28Monty says: I wanted to get both greetings and goodbyes into a single poem, but the result promised to be rather long. I tried using a short telephone call for content, but wasn’t satisfied with the outcome, so contrived a brief encounter of familiar creatures at the seaside.

Poem of the Day

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Pelican Manners

By Nadine Cranenburgh

Get in line
wait your turn
The early bird gets the
worm, or in this case, the fish
Schools play hide and seek
underwater, as well as
on land, and I was
first, so I am ‘it’.
Get in line, wait
your turn, or I
might eat you
instead=

  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #7

Prompt7

Nadine says: I imagined the sort of conversation that might happen in that situation – although the pictured pelicans look very well-mannered.

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Pelicans

by Bridh Hancock

 

I have often seen these fine big birds,

Above the waves or in the sky,

Lords of the shores and the upper air.

They certainly know their worth, they do,

These fishers who seek a beak-full of fish.

 

They don’t say much, as I can tell,

But fisher-folk know them very well

As exceedingly skilful and persistent.

Oh yes, they know their worth, alright,

These seekers of stealth with a fondness for fish.

  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #7

Prompt7

 

 

Poem of the Day

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Queue

by Sally Odgers

 

Kudos to the queue – not cue

(for that’s a hint or hit for billiard ball)

Kudos to the queue – not coupe

(for that’s a shock surprise for city hall)

Kudos to the queue – not coo

(for that’s what doves and grannies tend to do)

Kudos to the queue – not Que

(For that’s a Tassie river … yes, it’s true!)

Kudos to the queue – you knew

This had to end and now the end is due

But kudos to the queue – a row

Of sailor’s hair or pelicans you know.

 

  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #7

Prompt7

 

Poetry Prompt #7

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Prompt7Pens poised? On your marks…get set…write! See what you can come up with in response to this week’s word+picture. Don’t forget, if you’ve missed one of our Monday prompts, you can catch up at any time. Send your submissions to traffa-m@bigpond.net.au as a Word document attachment and add a personal note about why or how you chose to write this particular poem.

Teena