They’ve Flown My Coop
A flock of renegades
they’ve taken to free-ranging
scrabbling about
scritch-scritch-scratching
peck-peck-pecking
stirring things up
At my cautious approach
they ruffle and up-size
Feathered coils of anxiety
primed to flutter and squawk
newly bold and belligerent
I retreat and from a distance
begin to count them
making sure they’re all still there
oddly invested in their survival
My flock of feral worries
©Molly Hogan
And here’s another poem, just because…well, you can laugh or you can cry, right?
These days I am wicked forgetful
Too often I’m feeling regretful
for things left undone
or never begun
I just can’t keep track of anything!
©Molly Hogan
I’m hoping you see what I did there! lol
It has been a year. I’m wishing intensely for the end of the school year, but also wishing for more time. I’m worrying about quite a few things, and excited about a few others. I’m accepting sorrow and seeking joy. It’s all a balancing act, I guess. Some days I manage it better than others. Always I find comfort and solace in nature.
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Carmela Martino at Teaching Authors.
Nix the comfort zone 
I love those birds as renegades. Great word. I can see how as a teacher you want the year to end but want more time, too. I hope you enjoy your free time that will be coming soon.
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Thanks, Janice. This is always such an odd time of year, and this year especially so.
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I am always expecting a nature poem but you surprised me, Molly, though I suppose it is in our natures to have worries, too. I do connect to the “Feathered coils of anxiety”. Best wishes for a fine ending, and since I was a teacher, I know it can be both hard & happy.
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There’s definitely hard and happy. I’m changing grades next year, so that adds a twist to everything as well.
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You and those punchy endings! LOVE the pond (?) photo!!
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I’m actually not sure what to call that body of water. It’s in the midst of the marsh so I think it might be called a pool (but only because I just googled that, so who knows!)
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Nailed it! Nature always comforts and consols me as well as offering inspiration for my soul. I’m both tired and excited today. Your explanation at the end of your post speaks so well of how, as humans, we can feel opposing emotions at the same time. Thank you! I know I’m not alone!
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Nature is one thing I can truly count on. Isn’t it nice how connected we can feel through this community!
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Very effective metaphor of worries! And yes, it’s been a year, hasn’t it. It’s a strange feeling to know gratitude as a result of so much disruption and loss, and a slow-motion way of getting here. And now I’m thinking that is a metaphor for Mother Earth… yikes.
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Yikes, indeed!
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Your “flock of renegades” sound like they have quite an attitude… And your reflected sky image is gorgeous, is that a poem I see floating there… Thanks Molly, and wishing you smooth sailing with your forthcoming end of school.
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Thanks, Michelle! I’ll keep looking for that poem in the reflection 🙂
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I wonder if your worries know my worries. I have a flock too! They are annoying. One of my worries? One summer won’t be enough time. LOL. Great poetry as always, Molly. You can cry or you laugh or you count feral worries.
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Your worry is a BIG one! Maybe one summer isn’t enough, but one summer along with a community of writing friends might just tip the balance in our favor!
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Molly, I, too, am working that balancing act, and doing better some days than others. Nature is my go-to, also, especially on the rough days.
Your first poem has a meditative feel. I’m guessing that stepping back to look at that “flock of feral worries” is a great way to gain perspective on them.
Your second poem made me smile–I can definitely relate!
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Thanks, Carmela. Good luck with the balancing!
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Oh molly – I love your poems but am sorry that you have worries and sorrows. I hope you keep managing to balance. I have felt a little overwhelmed of late, too, but am finding joy this Sunday morning that we have had a change of government in this weekend’s election. I hope Australia’s change can leak out and help the whole world.
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Thanks, Sally. I’m doing fine really. 🙂 We all have our worries and sorrows and this year some of them have magnified for me. But I’m muddling through. Congratulations on your happy political news! (As I write that I wonder how often the words “happy” and “political” nest together!!)
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I really love the line “Feathered coils of anxiety” and the word “belligerent.” Great poems! And the end of the school year is WHOOO-BOY tough. I’m counting the days. Really longing for some rest.
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Thanks, Marcie. I think we’re all longing for extended down time! 16 days and counting here…
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Life is a balancing act, Molly. Stay grounded – vacation time is coming up soon. Then, you can spend time in nature and find the solace you are seeking. I enjoyed your interesting descriptions: flock of renegades, feathered coils of anxiety, and flock of feral worries.
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Thanks for the supportive words, Carol!
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