Vultures
Now, the season of in-between
the summer heat dims, the vultures soar
wind-embraced through clouds to blue–
no evil or good in their birds’ eye view
above the trees, across the shore,
circling death, cleaning the scene.
For dVerse Open Link Night.
I was inspired by Sarah’s elegant response to Punam’s prompt. I decided to write a sestain, as well.
6 lines, ABCCBA
And I saw vultures today. 🙂
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
So lovely! Your use of nature here is, not coincidentally, cleansing.
Thank you! That’s a lovely comment!
Such an interesting bird. I so love: circling death, cleaning the scene.
Thank you very much, Grace!
Ah, wonderful! If only we could be above evil or good! Love your sestain, Merril. 💙
Zoroastrians or Parsis in India leave their dead in the Tower of Silence to be consumed by Vultures.
Thank you so much, Punam!
Oh, that’s interesting about the Tower of Silence.
You are welcome. 😊
Lovely, Merril. How true there’s “no evil or good in their birds’ eye view.” Birds do what birds gotta do. You know, I think I read an essay (?) about vultures, making the point of how much we need them because they do what they do: “circling death, cleaning the scene.”
Thank you very much, Marie!
That is true about vultures. I remember once we had a dead animal in the yard, and the vultures cleaned it all up!
Yes, they are very considerate birds!
🙂
So beautiful !
Thank you, Rene!
So very welcome!
“circling death, cleaning the scene.” – very evocative, Merril. How interesting that you saw a vulture today too 🙂 I think people find them spooky because of their strange hunched over necks, as well as the fact that they pick bones clean.
Thank you. I actually think they’re very cool. I saw a group of them today–maybe six or eight, and they were riding the wind currents around the river–so beautiful!
Such beautiful imagery in your poem. I love the way you describe the vultures as cleaning the scene for the new season to emerge.
Thank you very much, Suzanne!
I love this one! I think you’re the only writer I’ve read who presents vultures in a positive light. Very refreshing, I must say!
Thank you very much, Liz.
I do think they’re cool. Our older child does, too–they were so excited to see the giant condors in California.
I’m still kind of chuckling/shaking my head over the don’t write about birds statement from “the famous professor” of Luanne’s. 🙂
You’re welcome, Merril. Some writers of the “famous professor” persuasion do have a tendancy toward nonsensical pronouncements received from on high.
Yes, that’s so true!
Must be amazing, living so close to, wildlife.
Thank you! I don’t remember where you live, but there is wildlife everywhere. I’m not in the country, but the nearby river does attract a lot of birds and animals.
“circling death, cleaning the scene” says it all. I like the economy in this,a lot said in a few words, which of course is poetry, but it’s hard to do well, as you’ve done here…JIM
Thank you very much, Jim. I appreciate that!
It’s an impressive bird in every way. Cleaning death gives it even more majesty –
Thank you, Susan. I think you’re right.
A beautiful poem with a wonderful last line
Thank you very much, Derrick. I rewrote that last line several times! 🙂
The work paid off
💙
Nature does not make our distinctions. Life just is. (K)
So true. Thank you, Kerfe.
Vultures are pragmatic creatures, I do like them! There is no trace of Summer heat left here now 😅
Thank you, Ingrid. It got much cooler here, too–and we’re going to be getting rain and wind.
I like the sound and feel of “the season of in-between.” I also enjoy the combined ideas of good and evil not seen from a distance, and also not seen or judged in death by the bird there to clean up.
Thank you very much for your close reading. 😊
Beautiful imagery, and lovely poem!
Thank you so much! 😊
There’s a colony of turkey vultures in a wild area by the lake in my Florida town — on windy winter afternoons they love to spiral en masse on the breeze — such lovely animals — “cleaning the scene” indeed.
Thank you, Brendan. They are beautiful to watch as they soar on the wind currents. We have colonies here, too–though I hardly saw any over the summer.
Oh yes! I love this. (Gotta add this form to my list 😉 )
Thank you!
When I looked it up, there were several variations. This is the form Sarah did.
Works for me 😉
🙂
Vulturously well done, Merril.
Yea, neither good nor evil, they are just doing their job.
I admire this about animals.
Thank you, Resa. They are so beautiful to watch in the air.
Beautiful pictures both mentally and visually! Thanks for sharing this one!
Thank you so much for reading!
Happy to! Glad to “meet” you and looking forward to reading more of your work!
Thank you very much! 😊 Happy to “meet” you, too.
I have the WORST time following people on my phone but as soon as I’m able to go to town to use the WiFi on my computer, I’m going to follow your blog and reading more. I have a farm in the mountains and we don’t have wifi out here ☺️. I have to run to town for horse feed anyway and I have a bunch of errands to tackle so I’ll bring my laptop with me.
Thank you so much! That’s so kind. I appreciate your determination. I’d be in bad shape without my Wifi! 😊
You’d be surprised how much more enjoyable it is without it. I read a LOT, I download books, podcasts, audio books and occasionally TV shows whenever I’m in town. The rest of the time, I’m too busy anyway. Tackling farm chores, gardening, clearing land, stacking wood, cleaning, and getting cozy with my husband by the wood burning stove in our living room. It’s peace out here. No neighbors and if I’m lucky I get one or two bars of LTE on my phone to pull up Facebook and WordPress ☺️🥰. Shutting everything off is amazing
I get that. It sounds peaceful–except for the farm work. 😏
But I do need to connect for work and writing.
I write and then hit up the local coffee shop to connect. I schedule my time around that. As for farm chores… there’s something incredibly satisfying about farm chores. I get to work on my horse and give him love, say hello to my donkey, feed the kitties, take care of the dogs and chickens (and the goose). when I’m done there’s the sound of satisfied bellies and thankful hearts. I get to take hikes on my own property, watch the seasons change, and sew wildflowers to cut and make others happy with. It’s a beautiful life in my opinion. It’s incredibly busy and it’s not for everyone but it’s certainly for me 🥰
It’s wonderful you have what you love!
I think so too! I wish that for others also 🥰❤️
😊💙