"Bright Wings" Poem -- The Tufted Titmouse

The ever spry and agile Tufted Titmouse is always entertaining to watch in my back yard.  He is an acrobat, going up and down trees -- forward and backward, sideways and cross ways -- whatever it takes to get his dinner.  While at the bird feeder he is equally skilled at maneuvering to get his meal.  Not only does he make me laugh, he is also a handsome bird with his little topper on his head and pretty belly. 

According to the book "Bright Wings", the name Titmouse dates back to the fourteenth century from the Old English words mase, which meant "bird", and tit which meant something small.  In Great Britain,  Great Tits and Blue Tits were reported to have broken open the foil caps of milk bottles, delivered to doorsteps, to drink the cream!  What little devils!

And now to our poem........

                    Titmouse
   If you would happy company win,
  Dangle a palm-nut from a tree,
  Idly in green to sway and spin,
  Its snow-pulped kernel for bait; and see
      A nimble titmouse enter in.

  Out of earth's vast unknown of air,
  Out of all summer from wave to wave,
  He'll perch, and prank his feathers fair, 
  Jangle a glass-clear wildering stave,
      And take his commons there--

  This tiny son of life; this spright,
  By monentary Human sought,
  Plume will his wing in the dappling light,
  Clash timbrel shrill and gay --
  And into time's enormous nought,
        Sweet-fed, will flit away.

            --Walter De La Mare

So dance like a Titmouse in the Woods today as if you had not a care in the world -- Flit about  -- Strut your plumage -- You are an awesome creature!

As Always -- Be Well and Happy!

Robin

More "Bright Wings" Poems - The Chickadee and a Sunny Walk

I took the opportunity to take a walk outside yesterday in the marvelous sun which we have not seen enough of lately.  I found some interesting treasures right in my back yard.
First, some moss growing out of the snow at the base of a tree -- perhaps a sign of spring?

Second, a precious little bird's nest in my trumpet flower vines.  I don't know what kind of bird made it -- maybe a Robin?

The trumpet vines look like a Halloween card this time of year without any beautiful greenery and orange flowers and with the hummingbirds buzzing in and out.

Third, my terracotta man looks quite lonely without any flowers.

Fourth, some footprints in the melting snow.........

Deer.

Humanoids.

I saw some Precious little Chickadees flitting about, but they were too fast for my camera.  They were hard at work looking for food.  I did find some bird tracks in the snow. Probably too big for a Chickadee though.

This time of year it's tough for birds to find water that's not frozen.  I think that they should go to Walden Pond.

And now two poems concerning the Chickadee from the book "Bright Wings", Edited by Billy Collins.

            December Notes

  The backyard is one white sheet
  Where we read in the bird tracks.

  The songs we hear.  Delicate
  Sparrow, heavier cardinal,

  Filigree threads of chickadee.
  And wing patterns where one flew

  Low, then up and away, gone
  To the woods but calling out

  Clearly its bright epigrams.
  More snow promised for tonight.

  The postal van is stalled
  In the road again, the mail

  Will be late and any good news 
  Will reach us by hand.

           -- Nancy McCleery

    In Walden Wood The Chickadee  

  In Walden Wood the Chickadee 
  Runs round the pine and maple tree,
  Intent on insect slaughter:
  O rufted entomologist!

  Devour as many as you list,
  Then drink the Walden Water.

              -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until next time -- Be Well and Happy and Sing Your Heart Out!

Robin