It’s Poetry Friday, and the last one in May. Margaret is hosting at Reflections on the Teche.
One day last week I stopped my car in the middle of the road for a family of geese to make their way across.
I drafted at least five different poems, scrapping each. I persisted because my friend Tabatha and her dog Lucy recently encountered a similar situation!
The final version is illustrated with a photo from a blog called Tips ‘n’ Tales. The columnist recounts a story similar to mine, except I didn’t have to stop traffic. 🙂
The Morning Commute
by Keri Collins Lewis
Mama hissed a warning.
The speeding car beeped.
Papa Gander honked and flapped.
Goslings dashed and peeped.
Once they crossed the busy road
the family paused and then,
they changed their minds
and waddled back across the road again.
Love it! Gotta watch those hissing geese. There is always at least one that stands constant vigil.
Thanks, Diane! Animals of all sorts have fascinating behaviors.
I had to laugh about them deciding to go back! I like all the sounds and motion of your poem. Glad we inspired you to persist!
Laughing is good — mission accomplished!
Oh, Papa Gander! Such a cute picture. Lots of geese families around these parts lately, too. Love seeing your experience in poem. xo
He was something to behold, trumpeting with his head thrown back. Made wish I spoke Goosese.
I love the resulting poem. What fun to see this happen. I’ll be at the lake in Madison in a few weeks. Always loaded with geese and other water birds. Maybe I’ll capture some poetry there, too.
I hope you have a lovely time with your folks. Knowing you, you’ll capture a masterpiece!
Love that you finally found the poem, Keri. I’d love to see this scene, to see those babies strutting!
Thanks, Linda! They seemed unbothered by all the fuss. Rather like teenagers. “We got this!”
Why did the goslings cross the road? Because they can stop traffic with their cuteness – twice! Great poem, Keri! =)
Exactly! Thanks, Bridget.
What a cute poem! Love goslings — wish I could see some. 🙂
I feel about geese the way I do many animals: they are so cute when they’re little . . . and so messy when they’re big. :-0
Great picture and what a fun poem. Kids will surely love this.
Oh, this is precious. Glad you kept at it. And went back. Again. Like the geese.
Adorable, Keri! How great that you were able to capture the moment in a poem…even if it did take you a few tries. You had me smiling from the title to the closing waddle.
Ha! Great story — great poem!
Thanks, Mary Lee!
Made me laugh, picture their complete disregard for the rules of the road. 😀
Thanks, Brenda! They certainly didn’t go to a cross walk. 🙂
I wish animals never had to cross a road! But I do love to see people trying their hardest not to hurt one. Having seen a careless (?) driver run over a momma’s ducklings once, I still get nervous that people won’t do the right thing.
Oh Donna! That’s terrible. Everyone slowed down to let the geese pass, but I was flashing my lights in warning. 🙂