Intro and poems from Talking to the Wren

Even in troubling times, poetry can lift us out of squalor, self-centered perspectives, and apathy! Notice I said “can,” not “does,” for the power and choice are ultimately up to us.

Nature offers this power too, especially when highlighted by haiku or other poems that give us a touch of surprise, humor, empathy, or beauty we might not have otherwise noticed. Then, as our awareness increases, we’re encouraged to tend the earth and all of its peoples with closer fellowship, appreciation, and good will. At least, that’s my hope in collecting poems for Talking to the Wren: Haiku, Short Verse, and One Long Poem recently published by Cyberwit.net.

Here’s a glimpse of the poems:

Black vultures at rest –

surprisingly beautiful –

on the dead branches

…

This morning the lake

can see its warm breath, puffing

against the cool air.

…

Spring comes silently –

slow as a caterpillar,

quiet as an owl.

…

Pear-shaped

pearl petals –

Magnolia blossoms

cup to catch Spring rain.

…

Kudzu leaves its green

drop-cloth over the wooden

furniture of trees.

…

Electricity

cracks the sky like a walnut –

each half trembling.

…

See how old I feel!

In Autumn, the night light draws

a moth to my shine.

…

In every season –

Thunder! and the still, small Voice!

God is All in all.

from Talking to the Wren: Haiku, Short Verse, and One Long Poem by Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020; published by Cyberwit.net.