Friday, September 8, 2017

Just Before Dawn

Sunrise over the mudflats,
Tofino Inlet


The dawn is peeping a red and ribald eye
over the mountain.
No one is awake.
The morning birds will not yet sing.
The sleepy valley is still nestled
in the arms of night.

But out in the meadow,
in the mist rising up from the icy fields,
a young doe is dancing lightly
on her tiny hooves.
An elven chorus, murmurous,
is chanting in the veld,
and the skybirds awaken, 
all a-flutter.
In a feathered heap,
they tumble out of the trees.

To witness this magic,
you must arise
just before dawn,
and disguise yourself
as a shrub.



- One from 2014, my friends, shared with the Poetry Pantry at Poets United


29 comments:

  1. You had me at 'a red and ribald eye' and continued to delight right up to that wonderful closing which put a big grin on my face. And that wonderful photo, to prove you know whereof you speak!

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  2. Thank you for bringing this moment alive.

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  3. The immense blessings of nature that we have everyday...

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  4. Indeed so much goes on before most humans greet the day. What a shame that we most often miss the dance of the young doe. I smiled at the idea of disguising oneself as a shrub.

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  5. To witness this magic,
    disguise yourself
    as a shrub

    Certainly not easy to savor the joys of dawn, Sherry! Beautifully rendered!

    Hank

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  6. I love how the "The sleepy valley is still nestled in the arms of night." I can see it being rocked in its arms.
    Oh and I would love to disguise myself as a shrub and watch all the magic. Great poem

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  7. I rise before dawn but tomorrow the shrub disguise shall be tried.. maybe in the city I should pretend to be a building! Good one Sherry!

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  8. Enchanting poem, Sherry. In fact I'm going to read it again before I go.

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  9. Please don't remind me of the times my wife and I went bird watching at crack of dawn, miles from anywhere, and we stiff with waiting hoping to see that one bird that was supposed to inhabit this one remote pond...and it did!

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  10. So beautiful - I wish to sing the dawn chorus with you

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  11. Shrub disguises are so crucial to this kind of viewing. ;)

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  12. Love the incongruity of the ending. Wonderful.

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  13. I have a lovely image of you dressed as a shrub, thanks for sharing your dawn with us.

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  14. I know this disguise well! I am Shrub Person. I know the dawn!

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  15. An elven chorus, murmurous,
    is chanting in the veld,
    and the skybirds awaken, 
    all a-flutter.

    Gorgeous images here, Sherry!💘

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  16. I'm a night-prowler and seldom see the break of day. Your eloquent words make me realize what I've been missing. Beautiful write, Sherry!

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  17. in such guises you are able to mingle with tiny hooves and feathered heaps- your words are truly enchanting

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  18. Love it... For me finding a doe is simpler however... i just look out of the window where they are walking in the morning.

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  19. What a beauty, delicate nature you captured by 'arising
    just before dawn,
    and disguising yourself
    as a shrub.'

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  20. Magnificent scene. Awe inspiring dawn captured in words.

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  21. I want to be a shrub! This was beautiful Sherry!

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  22. Oh I am dancing with that doe.....I love to wake before dawn and watch and listen to nature awaken and rejoice with them....the things you witness are breath taking and balm for the soul. Beautifully penned Sherry!

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  23. Oh to be a shrub. I often disguise myself as a feral cat or the now non-blooming clump of irises in my yard. I love that you disguise yourself as a shrub. And I am sure you see more than the dancing doe! Beautiful write.

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  24. This magic scene is written in magic. I loved everything about it. And the dawn's 'red and ribald eye' is so cool. Note-to-self, 'I must make an effort to be a bit more daring with my adjectives'. Wonderful ... WONDER-FULL!!!

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  25. beautifully written...love reading it over and over again.

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  26. Oh, I love the ending of this -- how to really embrace the dawn. Well done.

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  27. Stunning... absolutely in love with this!!!!

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