Neil Creighton Verse-Virtual 2017 January

January 2017

I’m an avid hiker and cyclist and have explored lots of places by foot and bike, both in Australia and overseas. On these various adventures one of the most special moments I’ve had was an encounter with two young Lyre Birds whilst walking in the Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park, NSW, Australia. Their singing is incredible. They can mimic anything. So is their dance. I blog at windofflowers.blogspot.com.au

Editor's Note: In his January submission letter to me, Neil wrote: "I submit "Lyre Birds" because I hope that in the current darkness a dose of purity is appropriate and my encounter with two young lyre birds was a dose of purity. The Lyre Bird is a superb songbird and an incredible mimic. They have to be heard to be believed. As well as mimicking every other bird, their repertoire can include car alarms, sirens, chain saws and camera shutters. Of many clips on YouTube, this David Attenborough one is probably the best — see link below."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE0Kdfos4Y

Lyre Birds

Well above the boulder-lined mountain creek,
the tangled profusion of vine and tree,
the spreading glory of strangler fig,
the remnant cedar’s towering beauty,

where the mountain steeply slopes,
where filtered sun casts a dappled light
where tall trees grow from leaf-littered ground,
stop for a moment in hushed delight.

Two young lyre birds cavort and display,
practising for some more urgent time
their dance, spread of tail and joy of song
with beauty far beyond the power of rhyme.

Their tail is two curves of yellow and black,
enclosing silver gossamer wisp
as delicately coloured as dew-filled web
or wind-blown sea mist.

This glory they arch over their backs,
graceful, delicate, surprising long,
then dancing a quick, little, staccato bob
pour from their throat liquid miracle of song.

Mimicry of diverse forest sounds
in effortless beauty from their throat pours-
kookaburra’s laugh, whip bird’s soar and crack,
king parrot, rosella and many unknown more.

Hush! The vault is blue, white and green,
there are ethereal slants of light,
great supporting buttress columns of trees,
and a choir praising in unrestrained delight.

Walk quietly away from this pure moment.
What you have seen is sublime.
Your heart is full of gratitude.
You sense a glimpse into the divine,

For on that on that mountainside
with effortless grace these small birds raise,
without tuition or much thumbed page,
their hymn of beauty and praise.

Come, hold me.
For Diana

Come, hold me,
for the world is so mingle mixed,
so contrastingly, proportionally fixed-
pain flooded, beauty buoyant,
achingly sad, fleetingly joyous,
poignantly littered, pathos strewn,
touchingly tender, savagely hewn-
for under this blue, beauty-laden sky
we laugh, labour, mourn and sigh,
seek answers to an unknowable why,
see much to make the tender heart cry-
so hold me. Make all seem bright.
Tenderly grant me your respite.
Bathe me in your wonder and light.
Momentarily wash away the night.

Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to tell him or her. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is the beginning of community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -FF