An Albatross of Difficult Scribbling

For We Write Poems poetry prompt: Wordle #8
http://wewritepoems.wordpress.com/

An Albatross of Difficult Scribbling

albatross – an oppressive burden
or hindrance
                                  ___Dictionary

Lacking any and all deceit, one must
wonder at peeling purgatory reserved
for those jaded enough to dismiss tornado
of constant warnings brought by
a thousand different messengers.

In particular, those that would
ignore the guttural mourning cry
and call of winged and four-legged
creatures suffering from plague
of irresponsible actions of others,
who believe themselves the royal
height of God’s creation.

Who, in mindless quest to insulate
themselves from own pessimistic reality,
turn their backs to mysteries of nature.
Never knowing magic to be found
in flight of a single hummingbird…
its wings a whirlwind of tumbling motion.

Cannot, or will not, find inspiration in journey
of a sea turtle migrating hundreds
of ocean miles in search of home
or see miracle of a caterpillar as it slowly
morphs into beauty of a monarch butterfly.

Too busy twittering about unfair
weather conditions, balancing bank
accounts to acquire material possessions,
they are blind to the pluck and courage
of these “much lesser” beings.

Yes, one can only imagine a special place
kept for these. Perhaps small steel cages,
hung in a huge forest, like scattered
chandeliers, where every day they
are forced to listen to their four-legged
keeper (am thinking a certain Siberian
tiger*), as he teaches them respect toward
yet another incredible species.

Elizabeth Crawford  2/24/14

Contributors and Their Words
Irene:  jade, insulated, chandeliers
Jules:  weather, scattered, mourning
Hannah:  albatross, plague, plucked
Elizabeth: messengers, wings, difficult
Viv: quest, mysteries, morph
Nicole: purgatory, royal, journey
Marian: believe, thousand, tumble
Debi: guttural, deceit, twittering
Misky: sea, peeled, pessimism
Barbara: mindless, tornado, hummingbirds
Abby: balancing, whirlwind, scribbling

Process Notes: Whew! Having the evil delight of choosing these words, it never once crossed my mind that I myself would have to deal with them (can you say sucker?). Collecting them slowly, I was aware of how many of us responded to Neil’s prompt by writing about the plight of birds and other creatures in today’s world. It didn’t surprise me when that mindset continued as I attempted to sling together the first verse of this piece. Was concerned that it might turn into an angry rant, so let it sit while I calmed down a bit. While cooling my heels, was reminded of my experience with a certain Siberian Tiger* and his calm but forceful entry into my life and all that he came to teach me. You may find that story at my original blog.
http://1sojournal.wordpress.com/2008/12/13/a-tiger-named-pain/

That really quieted me down and I was able to finish and use all of the words. The image is a photo of an egret (symbol of fierce self-determination and direction) taken by me about a mile from home at one of my favorite parks.

And there is music: The story at the beginning of this music video can be understood by anyone who has ever struggled to make sense of a wordle list, or to write a poem.