Winter Shoot
Snow came overnight,
After many grey days,
White fluff clings to branches
Surprises the last clinging leaves
of decorative trees.
Through the window
The peaceful scene
begins to compose.
Donning a warm sweater, jacket,
hat, gloves and grabbing the camera,
I leave the warmth,
For the handmade winter
Beckons me
To the city park a block away.
It’s colder than expected.
I have forgotten my scarf.
Excitement pushes me forward.
This is a light, wet snow – couple of inches.
It clings to the evergreens artfully.
I take off a glove to begin to shoot
The park benches are empty, but not forlorn.
Their flirty colors still show, like a colorful petticoat
under the snow.
The misty, grey sky washes out the world,
Of the footpaths, the trees, and snow.
As I reach a small rise
Another human appears, a silhouette
in a parka and heavy boots,
Holding a very still pose
that I recognize and, from a distance,
a vague shape of a camera.
She moves among the trees, but gives up
And leaves because of the cold.
I wander toward the tall trees
Where a few birds perch
on the very top branches.
Zoom in for a shot and the camera stops…
The cold that nips my ungloved hand
Is slowing the camera down.
Some larger birds arrive.
The glove goes back on
I clasp the small camera between my hands
Watching and waiting –
me and the birds.
Once more zoom in and click, click.
They fly off…
When suddenly two large flocks of birds descend
And a chorus of song arises in the treetops –
A choir of joy!
For the finale, as one, the hundreds take flight
In a graceful curve, they head away from me
Then swoop back in an S-curve,
over the spot where I stand
Dumbfounded
I watch, shooting forgotten,
Not separate from flight by a lens
My spirit rises.
(I am sorry that I cannot share the video of the birds’ song on my blog.)
Thanks for stopping by my kitchen.
So many people have stopped by to find a recipe or see my photos and read my poems this year. You give me the worlds that I would never see or know. With a grateful heart I wish you a happy season wherever you may be.

The birds begin to gather together and sing
Reblogged this on Nelsapy.
Thanks for the reblogs! Very grateful when people like my photos and words.
What a beautiful compilation of images of your first snow fall. I’ve always loved the first snow, unfortunately we aren’t predicted to expect any around Christmas. Happy Holidays to you.
Yes, The first snow fall is always a treat! thanks Loretta! Best of the season to you and yours.
Solovely. Thank you.
Thanks Barb!
This is beautiful and care free. Wishing you a happy season as well!
Thanks Eartha! Greeting of the Season to you too.