deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Woodpecker's Way
*knock, knock, knock, knock*...*knock, knock, knock*
Somewhere in Cambridge, deep within the forest...
a downy woodpecker is hammering at the base of an old cypress tree,
chiseling away at the wood, carefully carving out its nesting cavity.
Bit by bit, the old, petrified bark cracks and splinters away from its core,
Revealing the soft, light-colored cambium beneath.
As the crowning cambium peeks out from the darkened wood of the decaying bark,
Contrasting shades of color coalesce, painted against a cerulean sky
Where woodpecker’s bill and cypress tree, under crimson clouds collide
*knock, knock, knock, knock*… *knock, knock, knock*
(a knocking upon mother nature's door)
Aha! A squirming surprise, wriggling wildly about!
A creeping caterpillar – a delicious snack for a hungry bird.
“Bon appétit, Monsieur Chenille!” (Good meal, Mr. Worm!)
The bird chirps cheerfully, before voraciously gulping it down:
A quick collation to quell the hunger of a long day’s work;
A ruthless killing, but not a crime, rather an act of nature,
And reminder to the carefree caterpillar of its rightful place in the chain of life,
Amongst the flowering clover and the bumblebees…
Below the towering cover of Tupelo trees.
For this busy bird has no time for charity, 'cause soon—
There will be many mouths to feed!
*knock, knock, knock, knock*… *knock, knock, knock*
Somewhere in Cambridge, deep within the forest...
a downy woodpecker is hammering at the base of an old cypress tree,
chiseling away at the wood, carefully carving out its nesting cavity.
Bit by bit, the old, petrified bark cracks and splinters away from its core,
Revealing the soft, light-colored cambium beneath.
As the crowning cambium peeks out from the darkened wood of the decaying bark,
Contrasting shades of color coalesce, painted against a cerulean sky
Where woodpecker’s bill and cypress tree, under crimson clouds collide
*knock, knock, knock, knock*… *knock, knock, knock*
(a knocking upon mother nature's door)
Aha! A squirming surprise, wriggling wildly about!
A creeping caterpillar – a delicious snack for a hungry bird.
“Bon appétit, Monsieur Chenille!” (Good meal, Mr. Worm!)
The bird chirps cheerfully, before voraciously gulping it down:
A quick collation to quell the hunger of a long day’s work;
A ruthless killing, but not a crime, rather an act of nature,
And reminder to the carefree caterpillar of its rightful place in the chain of life,
Amongst the flowering clover and the bumblebees…
Below the towering cover of Tupelo trees.
For this busy bird has no time for charity, 'cause soon—
There will be many mouths to feed!
*knock, knock, knock, knock*… *knock, knock, knock*
Published 1st Feb 2019
Author's Note
Written for MadameLavender's, "Through the Alphabet - the letter 'C'"
It shows up a lot neater on a computer.
I had a lot of fun writing this one, but it was also tricky due to the words which we were required to use. For example, to use chenille in the sense that I wanted to, I made the bird speak French, heh. It weaves in and out of rhyming stanzas, and is pretty 'free verse', so I hope people still like it!
It shows up a lot neater on a computer.
I had a lot of fun writing this one, but it was also tricky due to the words which we were required to use. For example, to use chenille in the sense that I wanted to, I made the bird speak French, heh. It weaves in and out of rhyming stanzas, and is pretty 'free verse', so I hope people still like it!
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 9
reading list entries 2
comments 19
reads 758
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
1st Feb 2019 3:24pm
dearest Beginnings this is utterly delightful
I was transported here to this scene while reading
and I was happy inside myself...
p.s. I was reading your critique of Matthew's poem
you really are gifted in insight...
I had to come check you out I'm glad I did 😊
love Brenda 💕
I was transported here to this scene while reading
and I was happy inside myself...
p.s. I was reading your critique of Matthew's poem
you really are gifted in insight...
I had to come check you out I'm glad I did 😊
love Brenda 💕
1st Feb 2019 4:42pm
Awww, thanks so much! Your compliments are very sweet... really, I'm flattered. Pertaining to the poem, this one is definitely more free-verse than most of the poetry I write, and it weaves in and out of solid rhymes, so I'm glad that I didn't lose you along the way.
You're a wonderful poetess too, you know?
Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to leave me that comment. Thanks again for stopping by, crimsin :)
You're a wonderful poetess too, you know?
Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to leave me that comment. Thanks again for stopping by, crimsin :)
1st Feb 2019 3:26pm
I particularly enjoyed you giving your bird personality
by naming him Chenille and making him french that made me happy 😊
by naming him Chenille and making him french that made me happy 😊
1st Feb 2019 4:51pm
I was hoping that this part was clear, but perhaps it wasn't...
I guess it works either way, but that was supposed to be the bird talking to the worm, not the bird talking to itself, since chenille means worm in french.
So basically...
"good meal, Mr. Worm"
*swallows the worm*
perhaps there would be a way to make this more clear...?
I guess it works either way, but that was supposed to be the bird talking to the worm, not the bird talking to itself, since chenille means worm in french.
So basically...
"good meal, Mr. Worm"
*swallows the worm*
perhaps there would be a way to make this more clear...?
1st Feb 2019 7:47pm
1st Feb 2019 8:11pm
I won't change it, but I am open to honest critique. If there is something which is unclear in one of my poems, or something that would turn a reader away, I would like to know. Even if I choose not to change it, I would like to be conscious of it.
Likewise, I would want the same critique if someone really liked a part in one of my poems, or something really drew them in, so I am happy that you expressed to me that you really liked that part :)
Thanks, Kumar!
Likewise, I would want the same critique if someone really liked a part in one of my poems, or something really drew them in, so I am happy that you expressed to me that you really liked that part :)
Thanks, Kumar!
1st Feb 2019 6:56pm
NewBeginnings - Bees do buzz-buzz. Birds do flap-flap. And woodpeckers do knock- knock. Hey that's not too different from us humans when we buzz and flap and knock-knock. Perhaps there is a little of the woodpecker in all of us. I most enjoyed your writing and its visuals. Namyh
1st Feb 2019 8:17pm
This comment along with the poem inspired me to spill a silly little erotic write.
2nd Feb 2019 00:55am
Thank you, Namyh! I'm really happy to hear that you enjoyed it :)
We are all just animals after all. The closer you look, the more you begin to see the similarities between 'us' and 'them'!
We are all just animals after all. The closer you look, the more you begin to see the similarities between 'us' and 'them'!
Heh, I would have never expected that. I suppose inspiration comes in many forms. I'm just glad that you enjoyed it...!
Anonymous
- Edited 16th Jul 2019 12:45pm
1st Feb 2019 8:08pm
<< post removed >>
1st Feb 2019 9:09pm
Thank you for stopping by again, WhispersWeKeep :)
Your lovely compliments really brighten my day!
Here's my explanation...
Firstly, I used a downy woodpecker because of the meaning of the word downy, which is soft and feathery; and also because it's a species which I'm incredibly familiar with.
There are several reasons I used knocking rather than tapping:
1) Effect. Perhaps this little downy is a bit more vigorous than his counterparts? Perhaps the tree is a little bit more dead and has some hollow points that create a louder sound when struck.
2) So I could compare it to the knock on nature's door
3) After I used a word like hammering to accompany the chiseling part, describing it as tapping wouldn't have seemed fitting... to me at least
...and finally to your first question:
I put the pauses between the knocking simply because I liked the rhythm of it, and because it seemed more realistic. Downy's are not limited to the rhythm you describe, at least I don't think?
I just looked a few videos to verify this, and found downy's with rhythms similar to what I've described, but just more continuous. Perhaps this rhythm changes depending on if they are just pecking for worms or actually excavating a nest.
Thank you for the in-depth comment. Perhaps my explanation will help you to better understand my intentions. And again, I appreciate your continued support! I can tell that you have a love for birds as I do :)
Your lovely compliments really brighten my day!
Here's my explanation...
Firstly, I used a downy woodpecker because of the meaning of the word downy, which is soft and feathery; and also because it's a species which I'm incredibly familiar with.
There are several reasons I used knocking rather than tapping:
1) Effect. Perhaps this little downy is a bit more vigorous than his counterparts? Perhaps the tree is a little bit more dead and has some hollow points that create a louder sound when struck.
2) So I could compare it to the knock on nature's door
3) After I used a word like hammering to accompany the chiseling part, describing it as tapping wouldn't have seemed fitting... to me at least
...and finally to your first question:
I put the pauses between the knocking simply because I liked the rhythm of it, and because it seemed more realistic. Downy's are not limited to the rhythm you describe, at least I don't think?
I just looked a few videos to verify this, and found downy's with rhythms similar to what I've described, but just more continuous. Perhaps this rhythm changes depending on if they are just pecking for worms or actually excavating a nest.
Thank you for the in-depth comment. Perhaps my explanation will help you to better understand my intentions. And again, I appreciate your continued support! I can tell that you have a love for birds as I do :)
Anonymous
- Edited 16th Jul 2019 12:45pm
1st Feb 2019 10:56pm
<< post removed >>
New Beginnings A masterpiece showing great insight.
' A ruthless killing but not a crime,rather an act of nature ' shows an understanding of nature .I find this comment the core of the poem,on my reading list Kexby
' A ruthless killing but not a crime,rather an act of nature ' shows an understanding of nature .I find this comment the core of the poem,on my reading list Kexby
3rd Feb 2019 1:55am
Heya Kexby,
I deeply appreciate your wonderful sentiment, and I am honored by your RL entry!
Thanks so much for stopping by :)
I deeply appreciate your wonderful sentiment, and I am honored by your RL entry!
Thanks so much for stopping by :)
3rd Feb 2019 3:49pm
3rd Feb 2019 3:55pm
I am happy that you enjoyed it, Sherry :)
Thanks for checking out some of my poetry!
Thanks for checking out some of my poetry!
12th Mar 2019 11:32pm
I enjoyed this. I think the thing I appreciated the most was the imagery that is conveyed as you're reading it.
14th Jan 2020 2:45pm
How adorable!!! I enjoy that bird cause its cute to see a bird pecking wood as its the only one I know dies that and its funny too. I love woody wood pecker that toon is just hilarious haha good job hun its very sweet and enjoyable to read 🤗🤗🤗🤗
