In some ways the cardinal may be the canary in the coal mine. I remember as a young boy when cardinals signaled the spring. Now I can’t remember the last time the saw one in the wild,
Maybe you are misunderstanding my comment. Yeah cardinals used to signal spring to me, their disappearance over the years frightens me. I worry about the health of the planet . I live in West Virginia.
I’m living in Wisconsin and cardinals are still a pretty common sight, though they usually come a bit later than February. The cardinal is our High School’s “mascot!” I know it’s different in other parts of the country, though.
A fellow Eastern Timer! Now that you mention it, I can't remember the last time I've seen a cardinal in person that wasn't through stock photos. Knocking on wood and crossing my fingers that it's nothing of significance.
Stanley, I so hope you are wrong on the cardinals. This may be the result of sometimes misunderstood shifts to a new zone. Today I read about a shift in the Snowy Owl’s winter range. One speculation pertained to a drop in the Lemming population. Have they shifted to a new area with plentiful lemmings?
Here’s an observation from the backyard of my north Florida home. I ceased use of bird feeders several years ago - squirrels. None of my neighbors provide feeders. Morning after morning I get to watch a variety of species come to a bird bath. They seem to not compete for access. Tufted Titmouse to the Chickadees, “Your turn.” Later the bright, red male Cardinal swoops down splashing water all about. A glorious sight! May your red friends and their mates return in good order.
I would be heartbroken if they left us here. I do avoid the wild but here in urban Pennsylvania they do us the great favor of liking our backyard. A pair usually graces us each year. I count on them…
The cardinal was a bit of a surprise because it's still early. The whole experience of seeing it probably took less than 20 seconds before it flew off - Probably 9:30am, very grey day
What a present, even for those few moments, Paul. Unless they are sure they’re alone (my experience) they never stay put. (There’s an old Brooklyn phrase!)
We like to think of them as notes from our loved ones who have passed on. Telling us they’re OK, or that we’re OK. Twice in my life I saw one when I was feeling particularly down, and the sign of red always told me everything was going to be alright. A little cliche, but something my cousins and I hold dear. I wonder what message your cardinal was bringing? :)
Such a welcome sight, and a catalyst for poetic writing. Here in the Hudson valley I am waiting for the first robins. You must be an Aldo Leopoldo fan.
Brought back memories of my hometown of St. Louis. I loved the picture but your poem was so descriptive I could see it in my mind. Thank you Paul. Another beauty.
Thanks, Mike - You’re doing a pretty good job of that yourself. BTW, I picked up a copy of Joseph Fasano’s collection Fugue for Other Hands. Really nice! Thanks for the post that brought him to my attention.
There is always one phrase, one line, one word that stands out the most for me,
"an ounce of force"
Seemed to me like it didn’t take much more than that to lift the cardinal into the air, Catherine. Thanks for noting the line!
In some ways the cardinal may be the canary in the coal mine. I remember as a young boy when cardinals signaled the spring. Now I can’t remember the last time the saw one in the wild,
I'm hoping you're right, Stan-Enough of this cold weather! Thanks for the comment!
Maybe you are misunderstanding my comment. Yeah cardinals used to signal spring to me, their disappearance over the years frightens me. I worry about the health of the planet . I live in West Virginia.
I’m living in Wisconsin and cardinals are still a pretty common sight, though they usually come a bit later than February. The cardinal is our High School’s “mascot!” I know it’s different in other parts of the country, though.
When I was a teenager in the 70’s we had a lot of acid rain from all the coal burning. There continues to be lots of environmental damage.
There always will be environmental damage with coal mining or any other extraction technology. 1970 was over 50 years ago and the effects linger on.
What a horrendous legacy. And yet such a beautiful state.
A fellow Eastern Timer! Now that you mention it, I can't remember the last time I've seen a cardinal in person that wasn't through stock photos. Knocking on wood and crossing my fingers that it's nothing of significance.
The photo for the poem is AI-generated using one of the first two lines as a prompt
Stanley, I so hope you are wrong on the cardinals. This may be the result of sometimes misunderstood shifts to a new zone. Today I read about a shift in the Snowy Owl’s winter range. One speculation pertained to a drop in the Lemming population. Have they shifted to a new area with plentiful lemmings?
Here’s an observation from the backyard of my north Florida home. I ceased use of bird feeders several years ago - squirrels. None of my neighbors provide feeders. Morning after morning I get to watch a variety of species come to a bird bath. They seem to not compete for access. Tufted Titmouse to the Chickadees, “Your turn.” Later the bright, red male Cardinal swoops down splashing water all about. A glorious sight! May your red friends and their mates return in good order.
Maybe but that leads to questions why the shift in zones?
I would be heartbroken if they left us here. I do avoid the wild but here in urban Pennsylvania they do us the great favor of liking our backyard. A pair usually graces us each year. I count on them…
The cardinal was a bit of a surprise because it's still early. The whole experience of seeing it probably took less than 20 seconds before it flew off - Probably 9:30am, very grey day
What a present, even for those few moments, Paul. Unless they are sure they’re alone (my experience) they never stay put. (There’s an old Brooklyn phrase!)
This one was alone in my backyard and I don't think he saw me peeping from the kitchen window, but still, he didn't stay very long at all!
My mother called them Claude and Claudia Cardinale and they are always a joy.
I remember Claudia well. Claude, not so much. Of course, there was Claude Rains, which we are getting plenty of these days.
Im so happy about this beautiful poem. And even happier you saw a beauty and celebrated it so lovingly.
Thank you, DeeDee D! It's a reminder to myself to not just look but to see because these things don't happen to me often and they're easy to miss!
Would love to spy a cardinal, but alas, they don’t frequent the west coast of Canada. Compensation in poetry! :)
Thanks for reading, Alan, and for your comment. I'm hoping he was a sign of early Spring!
Let it be so. We have crocuses popping up everywhere already out here, so I am going with that.
Another good sign! None of the usual spring flowers here yet but I’m keeping my eyes peeled for them!
Lovely tribute to my favorite bird. A thrill to see that bright flash of red in our gray winter. Thank you for brightening my morning! ☺️
Thank you, Mary-Happy to brighten your morning!
You're welcome, Paul.
Nice poem and photo!
Thank you for stopping by and reading, Mankh.
“The lone splash of color in a sky so grey” Cardinals are special creatures in my family, and considered messengers. ♥️
Thanks for reading, Heidi, and for your comment. What sorts of messages do the cardinals bring?
We like to think of them as notes from our loved ones who have passed on. Telling us they’re OK, or that we’re OK. Twice in my life I saw one when I was feeling particularly down, and the sign of red always told me everything was going to be alright. A little cliche, but something my cousins and I hold dear. I wonder what message your cardinal was bringing? :)
He left so soon, Heidi. Perhaps he is headed toward you!
The ones we have in Ohio are more Red, but they do make a sharp contrast in Wintertime.
Gorgeous. The rhyme is really wonderful, the way it's sprinkled throughout instead of pigeon-holed predictably at the end of lines :)
Thank you, Sydney, I appreciate your comment.
Such a welcome sight, and a catalyst for poetic writing. Here in the Hudson valley I am waiting for the first robins. You must be an Aldo Leopoldo fan.
And, yes, Aldo Leopold is a well-known figure in Wisconsin. We learned about him in high school and that was a long stretch of time passed.
Thank you-The robins have also begun to arrive (a few never left) bringing their song in the morning!
Brought back memories of my hometown of St. Louis. I loved the picture but your poem was so descriptive I could see it in my mind. Thank you Paul. Another beauty.
Thank You, Monica-Glad it helped prompt memories of your hometown!
"the
lone splash of color in a sky so grey"
So much powerful contrast in such a short and simple line. Made even better that it's the ending line as well.
Thanks, Daniel-Much appreciated!
Cardinals are special birds, no doubt about it. ❤️
They are special, even more so when they arrive early-Thank you for reading it, Bonnie!
Breathtaking, Paul. Wow. What an honor to put your words in my mouth and fill my office with them today. You're a legend.
Who’s stroking ego now, Mike? Glad you like The Cardinal.
You put out so much love and artistry into the world, and I try and reflect a little bit of it back to you, and it is well earned.
Thanks, Mike - You’re doing a pretty good job of that yourself. BTW, I picked up a copy of Joseph Fasano’s collection Fugue for Other Hands. Really nice! Thanks for the post that brought him to my attention.
Thank you. And you’re welcome! Fasano rules.
Beautiful imagery of a truly striking bird!
Thank you, Neil!