For Hedge’s 55. For those of you who have never heard or, never listened to a cardinal, I am including the music they make. This is also posted for Poets United Poetry Pantry. Happy Mothers Day to you all. If your mother is still alive, let her know how much you love her. My mother died last June. I miss her every day.
Nap
Ninety-three degrees at noon.
The scent of white clover is heavy.
Sitting in the shade on my back porch –
A cardinal on top of the birdhouse –
spot of blood against the greenyellowblue
Chirpchirpchirp.
The sound follows me down into my dreams –
Chripchirpchirp
Like a tiny temple bell – but
I can’t find my way back home
kanzen sakura 
May 11, 2018 @ 15:49:34
It is said, we love to get lost so we can find our way home. Thank you for the Cardinal song, I don’t think I have ever heard it.
May 11, 2018 @ 16:17:39
Then I am more than glad I included it it is one of the prettiest sounds you can imagine on a still summer day. The B!one Faith song is one from my youth and one of my faves. Hugs.
May 11, 2018 @ 15:58:23
A painting of color and sound–the drowse of heat and that three-toned bird bell–all come through sparsely and clearly here, (and your attached song is one of my own favorites.) Thanks for adding this lighter-than-air, heavier than sorrow 55, Toni. Home is in there somewhere, tho many times it seems we must rebuild it from scratch over and over.
May 11, 2018 @ 16:12:24
I am glad I included the cardinal song. I figured there would be people who have never heard it. It is one of the prettiest sounds on a summer day. The Blind Faith song has long been one of my faves as well.
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May 11, 2018 @ 16:30:40
Since Mama died, it seems I am constantly rebuilding.
May 11, 2018 @ 16:19:14
I love that you included the Cardinal’s calls–so beautiful. I’m a bit envious since we don’t have them here but I did see them when I lived out your way. The poem has a mystical feel to it, for me.
May 11, 2018 @ 16:29:38
I dreamed about mama the other night. I couldn’t find her name in the phonebook and I couldn’t remember the number. I needed to call her for Mother’s day. I awoke out of a sweat and didn’t get back to sleep until that lost nap. The Blind Faith song had the “tone” of that dream. I am so glad you enjoyed the cardinal song. It isn’t the same thing but now ya know…you can listen in YouTube.
May 11, 2018 @ 18:20:07
Love, love, Love this!!! the cardinal birdsong, the nap poem…and the music. One of my favorite birds and one of my favorite songs. A perfect offering, including the poem…for this torrent heat weather. What will summer be like, Toni???? I don’t think we have cardinals in the north where I came from, but we sure have them in the spring and winter. I love the brown females, as they always have their lipstick on. Hugs.
May 12, 2018 @ 09:55:38
I haven’t heard a cardinal sing before. It’s beautiful. Love the poem. It’s sad and hopeful at the same time.
May 13, 2018 @ 07:39:12
Beautiful 🙂
May 13, 2018 @ 14:09:25
What beautiful bird calls…………loved your poem, the scent of white clover, the tiny temple bell.
May 13, 2018 @ 14:38:37
They are one of the most beautiful sounds on a still summer day.
May 13, 2018 @ 14:53:00
Oh wow, you’re right, I adore this. Cardinal calls are common where I live, and every spring the boys sing for ladyfriends. The inclusion of the temple bell in connection with the bird is inspired, and the last line and the song top it off so well. Have you ever heard Alana Miles sing that song? It’s hard to find but really good.
May 13, 2018 @ 15:03:48
I shall search for it;
May 13, 2018 @ 14:57:14
Alana Davis, I should say. Alannah Myles did “Black Velvet.”
May 13, 2018 @ 15:04:47
Ok. I know who you are talking about now. I love that!
May 13, 2018 @ 15:21:24
Here we have the European blackbird… I can still hear it singing… 9:20PM and it will start at 4 AM… but a wonderful wonderful song…
May 13, 2018 @ 17:28:14
Awesome! Thanks. And yes I am familiar. My favorites, where I live, is the Loon and the Mourning dove.
May 13, 2018 @ 19:07:51
I really enjoyed this, Toni. Starting with the photo. Powerful writing, but the ending makes me sad.
May 13, 2018 @ 19:47:45
kaykuala
Like a tiny temple bell – but
I can’t find my way back home
One gets lost in the pleasant sounds of chirping birds. Very true Toni and more so for the sensitive ears of poets!
Hank
May 13, 2018 @ 21:19:00
My wife was a keen bird watcher so we often found ourselves in the Australian bush or losing our way in the desert, but it was all worth it finding a bird that lived only in hard to find places! The snakes were kind too scuttling out the way as our feet clumped along approaching them. Once when sitting down waiting for birds to appear an Echidna approached to say hello!
May 13, 2018 @ 22:13:54
A lovely, haunting piece. And I too am glad you included the cardinal’a song. I saw one once, through a window, when visiting Texas in 2006. I didn’t hear it, but the combination of its smallness and its vivid red made an unforgettable impression.
May 13, 2018 @ 22:25:59
It is indeed a lovely sight. How can I email you some rose photos I took today?
May 14, 2018 @ 03:28:38
I am so sorry for your loss, Toni. This is a beautiful poem.
May 14, 2018 @ 10:05:22
Oh this is so full of emotion… love that cardinal!
May 14, 2018 @ 14:18:19
Beautiful words Toni.
May 15, 2018 @ 15:19:13
Sometimes it’s the bright spot – of the blood red – that for the beauty, bring us or as you’ve gracefully noted, follow us into the depths, – so we remember, so we recall, perhaps all too painfully, but even the gifts of darkness are still gifts ….. and yes, it can be frightening and tiring, even wearisome to constantly “rebuild” – but sometimes it’s out of our greatest losses,that allow us to finally release and set us free – to live with the new, while honouring the gifts of those who are sadly, no longer with us