Saturday, November 14, 2009

Something Told the Wild Geese



Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered,--"Snow."
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned,--"Frost."
All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,--
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.
by Rachel Field

24 comments:

  1. I love this beautiful poem and had never read it before. "Steamed with amber spice" is a perfect line...they all are.

    Every evening lately, when I'm feeding the stray cats outside, flocks of geese have flown over our yard. One night it was extremely windy so they were so low that I could see their markings. I always say bless bless in hopes each of them makes it safely to the destination and a long life.

    Margaret, if you have a spare minute will you see if you can access the podcast I have posted at my blog. I have only one comment and that is from someone who was unsuccessful at it. I had intended to keep it up for a couple days, but .....
    I'd really appreciate if you see it would you leave me just a quicky comment saying you did. Thanks much.

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  2. Very nice poem Margaret I had never read it either but loved it. Thanks for sharing

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  3. Hello Margaret

    I love this poem even though we don't have geese and I've never witnessed them leaving for the winter, I was still taken along by the poem...

    Happy days

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  4. Lovely poem Margaret, enjoyed reading it on my cold chilly morning that cries...Winter's in the air! Unlike the geese though, I love winter!

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  5. Margaret: Love the poem. Is the image a collage of yours? It is lovely too.

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  6. hi margaret, i really like the collage - i clicked on it and had a closer wander through. i could feel the thoughtfulness and care that went into it. the poem is very beautiful and perfectly matches the artwork. i'm going to share that poem with my class next week and see where they go with it. have a lovely day and thanks for this!!! steven

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  7. Oh what a nice poem you chose! It's so fitting for this time of year, every day I hear the squawking geese overhead, heading for warmer shores!!! I'm always in such awe of nature...the animals know when to hibernate or fly south, the trees know when to shed their leaves...amazing isn't it?
    :) xx

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  8. Love this Margaret. Your colors are beautiful.
    Back to the bulb. It plugs in a wall outlet. It does have 6v and a cirle then a 2. The base is 6/8th of an inch around and is screw in. Very tiny bulb. I have been to Home Depot and many other places. I will try am auto supply. Thank your husband for his help...julie

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  9. Apparently the Canada Geese around these parts haven't got the message as yet. I sometimes see them out on what I consider to be their training flights; then later I might happen by a field full of them, grazing like cows. I know from past experience that suddenly they'll be gone, without even a honk goodbye!

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  10. Did you do that awesome collage, Margaret? That beatiful poem goes with it perfectly! Love & Blessings!

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  11. coucou Margaret..:o)
    j'espere que tu vas bien...
    si je comprend bien ce poème nous dit que l'hiver arrive...les oies repartent vers les pays chauds ..ici aussi en ce moment les oiseaux se réunissent pour les grandes migrations..le soir les arbres de la ville sont presque vivants...
    le grand depart avant le froid....
    breee il est temps de rallumer le feu...
    je t'embrasse Margaret...
    a bientot...

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  12. What lovely words this poem had Margaret. I love the wild geese! And the picture went with it beautifully.
    Love Di

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  13. Hi Lydia! I love the idea of giving a blessing to geese as they fly overhead! We are one with them. I answered your question about the Mac link on your post. Let me know if there's a way to transfer it. Thanks! xxox
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    Hi Blues! Thanks! Imagine you're seeing a lot of migrators this time of year.
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    Hi Delwyn! That's so funny--I never thought about your not having geese in Australia! It's true the poem does convey a sense of migration. Delwyn, thanks for stopping by. I miss you. xxox
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    Hi Wanda! I love winter, too! And all creatures have that instinct to know when it's coming. xxox
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    Hi Bonnie! That is my collage. I have a box full of things I might find usable down the road: pine cones, pine needles, feathers, magazine clippings, scanned items from books, napkins, cards, etc.! (even put my dreamcatcher necklace in this one!) xxox
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    Hi Steven! I'm glad you enlarged the collage to get the full effect of it! Thank you! It looks a little muddled in the smaller size. It's made to go with the poem which I think would go well with six-graders.
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    Hi Rain! It is amazing that the rest of nature goes with its gut every time, and we--its brothers and sisters--tend to hesitate. xxox
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    Hi Julie! Thank you! Hope the auto supply works out. Bill says you can always get a 12v transformer to make it brighter. xxox
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    Hi Lynne~ Well, sometimes they do honk! Isn't it funny we call all our geese "Canadian geese," as though they were just visiting?! xxox
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    Hi Marion~ Yes, I made the collage. They are so pleasant and absorbing to do. I keep a "collage" box just to have pieces on hand. I think you do, too! xxox
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    Salut Clo! Mais ton anglais est formidable! C'est exactement ce que ce poeme dit! Le reste de nature --sauf nous--sait vivre par instinct! Difficile a apprendre! Amities, Margaret xxox
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    Hi Diana! Thank you! And are the geese flying overhead where you live yet? Something's astir-- xxox

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  14. Lovely poem, I was reading it while Bruce serendaded me with Devils and Dust!

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  15. Hi Saj! That's the best! "I got my finger on the trigger, But I don't know who to trust ... Fear is a terrible thing ... " xxox

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  16. I love to hear their cry overhead. I always try to find them in the sky.

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  17. yes, it's all over for another year; here too.
    so all we can do is remember the summer, enjoy the winter and read, recite and maybe write beautiful poetry.

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  18. Hi Sharon! Their formations are so amazing, aren't they? And they fly so high. xxox
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    Hi Friko! Well, you've certainly given us some lovely winter assignments! I always secretly wish the power would go out so I could put on my lantern and read and write, not feeling guilty about any chores... xxox

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  19. Dear Margaret, thank you so much for your generous comment about me in Lydia's blog. I much appreciate your kindness and please keep in touch. Your blog is gorgeous. I Like it a lot!

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  20. Hi Phivos! Thank you for visiting! Any friend of Lydia's is a friend of mine! Best, Margaret

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  21. Hello Margaret, I haven't visited you in a while and you have added some lovely things with lovely words in verse with such meaningful thoughts. Look at my blog and see my latest. love Shelia

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  22. Hi Shelia! Yes, I could translate your cutue little French boy card! I'll visit you right now! xxox

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  23. mon anglais n'est pas assez riche pour tout comprendre malheureusement !
    merci pour tes mots chez moi margaret :-)
    kisses xxx

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  24. Bonjour Karine! Sois la bienvenue! Je te visiterai aussi! A bientot, Margaret

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