Recently, I found an empty bird nest tucked into the top of a rose bush. I thrilled to touch it, imagining some bird selecting and weaving each thread, instinctively constructing a home. The outside was loosely woven and rougher, with strips of grape vine, maybe? The inner nest cavity was tighter, made with a softer material. Such care was invested in this home and its selected location, safely nestled amidst the thorns. As I ran my finger over it, I thought of one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems, “With Thanks to the Field Sparrow, Whose Voice is so Delicate and Humble.”
Using her work as an inspiration, I wrote this:
With Thanks to the Unknown Bird,
Whose Nest is so Carefully Constructed
I do not live happily
within the harshness of our times
The talk is crass and crude
the politics of hatred and division
Violence stalks the streets
and walks our school halls
The world weeps
Yesterday, in the crown of a blooming rose bush,
I came upon your hidden nest
gently I held it between my hands
marveling at the intricate construction
moved by the knowledge that
within this nest
you warmed your eggs and tended your young
From this nest
your brood took flight into summer skies
My fingers traced the woven fibers
I took comfort in the reminder that
such wonders still happen
within our world
©2018 M. Hogan
For more poetry this week, visit Sylvia Vardell’s blog, Poetry for Children. She’s hosting Poetry Friday Roundup and sharing her (and Janet Wong’s) new book, “Great Morning: Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud.” Be sure to stop by and get an overview of this wonderful soon-to-be-released book!
Nix the comfort zone 
So often the abundant joy, wonder and miracle of life is lost in the clamour of hate and fear. Most especially on the news!! And then we have a week where the world draws together to rescue thirteen young men from a flooded cave, and I hope we never forget the emotions of that united, euphoric experience! My hope is that we build on them… Like your wee-birds, weaving a home amongst the thorns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was so refreshing and heartening to follow an uplifting story where people came together and turned potential heartbreak and tragedy to triumph. As you said, the constant wash of negative news and emotions create such a furor that it’s easy to lose sight of all the beauty in the world. Poetry and photography help me to focus on the small miracles in everyday life.
LikeLike
Thank you for this poem Molly, a momentary safe haven wrapped in calm– far from the smoke that builds around us each day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michelle–I think there’s a poem in your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m reaching for a notebook to jot it down, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely Molly. I love that your poem echoes Mary’s but with your own special stamp on your moment of wonder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sally! It’s so nice to see you on PF again. You’ve been missed!
LikeLike
This post is a much-needed antidote to the news, Molly! Bird nests are a marvel! Thank you for sharing Mary Oliver and your lovely poem reminding us that “such wonders still happen/within our world.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nature is definitely my favorite antidote to the news.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed reading the post and all the comments….I must agree that your response to finding the bird nest to the Mary Oliver poem to the response is such an antidote to injury and illness of the world all around us.
“My fingers traced the woven fibers
I took comfort in the reminder that
such wonders still happen
within our world”
This is what’s its all about, isn’t it? What a needed respite…stopping by here today. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad this post offered you some respite. I find that often within PF and within nature.
LikeLike
Finding comfort in our everyday world “outside” is my way, too, Molly. Oliver’s poem is a lesson for us, and then you capped it with your so personal response, both gifts from you to us. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I felt like finding the nest was a gift 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Molly, you did a beautiful job with this. Thank you for sharing and for marveling at that neat construction and for reminding us all of the beauty that exists in the world always. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Irene. There is so much wonder in the world, but it is all too easy to lose sight of these days. I’m thankful to live in a place where natural wonders abound.
LikeLike
I think Mary would be pleased with your efforts. Ever thought of sending this link to her? Your probably have her Poetry Foundation link, but here it is for your many readers. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-oliver
I loved this line “My fingers traced the woven fibers.” Again, as with much of your writing, I can see a real person in your descriptions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing the link, Dan. Reading Mary Oliver always re-centers me. I’m way too intimidated to send her my poem, though! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! I love finding a bird’s nest too (AND the poetry of Mary Oliver), and you’ve captured something really special here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sylvia, for the kind words and for hosting this week.
LikeLike
I love Oliver’s poem and your homage. What an adorable nest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it the best nest? Did you notice that it’s slightly off-center? It reminded me, ironically, of the shape of a fried egg!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right, but I hadn’t put it into words. There’s another poem there, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hearts all around this poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret and I love the golden shovel you shared on Facebook!
LikeLike
Yes! So beautiful! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ruth!
LikeLike
Ahh…so lovely. We do find respite in nature from the human awfulness in our country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking for lots of respite these days, Mary Lee!
LikeLike
Two lovely poems from your encounter with that nest! It is such a powerful reminder that there is still beauty and even truth remaining despite the troubled times we live in. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately, I need that reminder with increasing frequency!
LikeLike
We were both in a Mary Oliver frame-of-mind this week! Love the wonder of the hidden nest in your poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always in the mood for Mary Oliver! 🙂 I loved the new-to-me poem you shared today.
LikeLike
We found two empty nests in our yard this week. I too marveled at their careful construction. I never read the poem before. I loved so many things about it and then your poem! Beautiful and hopeful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two nests–Backyard bounty for sure! Your girls must have been thrilled!
LikeLike
“Wonders still happen,” lovely words to bring comfort to difficult days. This Mary Oliver poem is new to me. I love how it inspired your poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems–actually it’s one of my all-time favorite poems. I think I feel about it the way that Mary felt about touching those eggs.
LikeLike