It's the third Thursday of the month so I'd like to welcome you to A Gathering of Poetry.
I finished reading this book once, but I've kept Ted Kooser's Winter Morning Walks nearby so I can choose a poem and read it whenever I feel like a bit of poetry. This one may be my favorite (and Kooser has dated it January 16th) so I'm sharing it with you today.
The January Thaw
by Ted Kooser
A flock of several hundred small brown birds,
all of one mind, crazily chases its tail
across a muddy field and into a grove of trees.
They are full of joy, like a wheel that break loose
from a truck and bounds down the road
ahead of the driver, then eventually slows,
and falls behind, wobbling onto a spot
on the shoulder, rocking around on its rim,
then settling with a ringing cry.
====
Kooser, Ted. "The January Thaw." Winter Morning Walks. 2000: Carnegie Mellon Press, pg. 66.
You can read more about Ted Kooser here.
====
Thank you for reading and joining us for our monthly Gathering of Poetry. You are more than welcome to add your link below if you would like to share one of your favorite poems. The more the merrier!
I am in the midst of that book right now (just finished November) and am finding it wonderful. (I did also buy "Braided Creek" and am anxious to read that.). Am also in the midst of "Water, Water" by Billy Collins. I have yet to read a Billy Collins book of poetry that doesn't move me. What a way with words!
ReplyDeleteThis very cold January morning has just been improved by reading some poetry. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem, Bonny! I love Ted Kooser's poetry -- and really need to pick up a copy of that collection to read for myself. XO
ReplyDeleteThat is the thing about poetry... it can make the ordinary... extraordinary! Kooser's Winter Morning Walks is on my buy soon list (along with Braided Creek!)
ReplyDeleteLovely! This reminds me of my walks in our urban park that has several lakes. All manner of birds habitat there or migrate through there, and it is a balm for my soul. I hope things are well with you and yours. Thanks for the poetry!
ReplyDeleteWe put a suet block and some seeds out on our snow covered table and I've really enjoyed watching the flock of fat little birds that visit every morning. They really do look like they are full of joy even in this bitter cold. No thaw here and we are going into the teens for a high next week.
ReplyDeleteI've been diligent about feeding the birds, too, and trying to make sure they have water that isn't frozen. That one is a little tougher with the temperatures we've had and I guess it will be even more so next week. Stay warm!
DeleteLove reading TWO Ted Kooser poems today. He's so attentive to the natural world ... and his way with words - I can see and hear those birds!
ReplyDeleteI felt like I was there! I love my birds that come to my bird feeder so much!!
ReplyDelete