Rules of the Game 1: 'Crooks of a Feather'

my grandmother hated jackdaws, called them
jewellery thieves, said they'd fly onto her bedroom
windowsill and, if her window was open...

personally, I think she lost her earrings
down the pub...  :)

LOL!

Hahahaha lol

a lot of wisdom in this write Sage one..

beautifully done..

love Brenda

Happy to see you back, Sistar. ⭐

I found this very enlightening once reading it several times, lol....to make the connection in metaphorical analogy...

"Crooks of a feather  
Rooks clearing the board  
when and wherever  
treasures lay waiting"
~ made me think of "crook/birds of a feather flock together" - is that not the old similar saying? Blue Jays, yes can be spiteful but so can their contrasting counterpart color of a red Cardinal, ...blue and black making face frown, perhaps associating with bruises, aggressiveness while the color of cardinal typically brings a smile...perhaps because of red's comparison to love, peaceful.

"about a flayed span of blue  
crossing the morning window  
 
Stark, the contrast against a  
wooden fence, nest burgeoning  
within a Cardinal's bush"
~ to wake to a new dawn, cloudless sky... endless possibilities while witnessing the Blue Jay nourish perhaps baby birds to thrive all within the fiery flames of a Cardinal/Burning Bush

xoxo Taryn

Very nice critique, Taryn!  I enjoyed your interpretations and enjoyed seeing through a reader's eyes.

The thing about critique is that you can't really be wrong, as personal perception is an individual truth freely witnessed through experience.  Therefore, you added to my own personal experience by offering your interpretation, which expanded meaning.  

I appreciate that greatly. Thank you for your generous time. 💝

Nice title.

I hope the bluebird doesn't steal that squirrel's nuts.

Bwa.ha.ha. But no one, I mean NO ONE, messes with the 'Squirrel of Judgement's' nuts!

I like the phrase "crooks of a feather".

I have no idea why.

Thank you, Rose. I'm honored to be your first comment.

Beauty deceives..  indeed very apt description, I say beauty is never without danger.  Beautiful poetry Sage One!

In other hand when read the title - I said to self..why she calling me crook, what did I do this time ! ☺ lol

Awesome is the word!

Deceptive beauty, such a clever metaphor, wise one.
The second stanza stood out for me;
beautifully written...

Very interesting and lovely musings Tammy.

I love this type of 'half-rhyming'  " feather - wherever - treasure ". Great

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate your time and words.

Crooks of a feather  
Rooks clearing the board  
when and wherever  
treasures lay waiting

This was Johnny's contribution. Or, the spackle to the hole letting in the cold. I agree it's awesome, especially the half rhymes and title birth.
 

We all have a purpose in life,  the robin kills the wood-louse but without adverse comment ;good poem Ahavati.

I can sense the infanticide of the bluejay wanting to hold on to her prowess not allowing a new spring to fruition and steal her day...Well crafted composition

I find Chess
very agreeable;
particularly the Rooks ...
Though bastards of
elemental surprise,
they do manage to surprise,
don't they?

Excellent `de`feathered` ink,
my Beauty ...

~xo, Devlin

it's like virgil said, trust not too much in appearances
or something like that anyway
a lot happening between these lines, miss vati
wonderful food for thought
xo

When u serve/surf the surface only the face remains

The deceptive simplicity belies the wisdom compresses - fine write again my sister

Gosh my dear avahati, this was very good... the brevity only added to the power in the message, I only ask that you post more often... becuz your ink is a wonder to behold. :)

prettiness of a thief;
poetry teaches...

Wonderful

apart from the electric blues your wise words flow..i liked the flow, fixing the context in S1 ..as it grows in S2 with their way you need, and then S3, S4, S5 ...pure poetics..S3 stands out for me so slick.

Still,    
there's something to be said  
about a flayed span of blue  
crossing the morning window    

the poetic hints start & fluorish ..as you derive your S5 through the worldly S4

i see the pattern ...well penned.
tq for the share my enlightened friend xx

I appreciate you, Uma-Sweet.

'Crooks of a Feather', oh the irony. Very well written Ahavati. Always a pleasure to read your work.

LostGirl