Photo by Tony Whittle
She is out feeding the birds,
on the dot again,
in the drizzle of a seaside morning;
the seed
cast fom her hand
to the jerking beak of a cock pheasant.
She is alone
in a flock of dark starlings,
scattering crumbs to make them shriek.
She is a friend of spuggies,
gives blackbirds water.
Her eyes fly across the garden
to catch a quick robin,
to spot a wee wren,
to chase a bold magpie.
She is innocence,
she is a lovely old lady;
still giving,
still nursing.
She deserves heaven,
she deserves a beautiful nest
to dream out her last hours
in bird song;
in the rich colours of music,
in the red feathers of sunset,
she is my mother,
she is a rare bird
who fed me beautiful dreams.
Thank you for letting me climb
with the skylarks.
Thank you
for the strength of wings.
KEITH ARMSTRONG
Thank you very much for this poem. Ever since I have heard you reading it out at “Poems, Prose, Pints” it has been on my mind – it’s written in such a gentle and honest voice. The poem may be dedicated to your mum, but, as you said in the pub, it’s something you could say about all mums. I certainly feel reminded of my own mother, who died not so long ago, when I read the poem.
Love
Brigitte
Hi Keith
Thanks for this beautiful poem.
Tim G
Dear Keith !
Thank you very much. You read this poem when you were here in
Groningen. It moves me each time I read or hear it. Nice talking to you
on the phone yesterday. All the best, yours, Henk
Thanks Keith - you moved me.
All best
Chrissie
The Bird Woman of Whitley is a lovely poem, Keith. Beautiful tribute.
Trish.
You amazing poet YOU
- thank you for that that poem - it deserves a very good moment, but I will translate it.
Uwe
Lovely poem!
Keep sending them!
Julie
Good poem, Keith
Cheers
SallyE
Thank you, Keith, thank you –
For
bringing a fulsome tear to my eye with the sad and beautifully-crafted
The Bird Woman of Whitley. How amazingly coincidental and serendipitous
that you should have numbered me amongst those privileged to receive it
because, just this afternoon, I have put in the post to you my Christmas
book (in Irish) An Nollaig sa Naigín (Christmas in the Noggin [my
homeplace]), which has in it the story Céad Sneachta na Nollag (First Christmas Snow), which features my own mother feeding two birds, they being the Robin and the Wren!!!!
Bravo, my friend, and thank you for giving me the delight of reading so beautiful a poem.
Ré
Thats a nice poem Keith. Is that lady really your mum?
Mick
Thanks for
sending me this beautiful poem. It really moved me. I have a special
Mother too, she hasn't a selfish thought in her body.
Cheers
Catherine Graham
Hi Keith loved the poem
Mike
Thanks for your beautiful poem Keith. I must write something special to my mum.
Paul
