No Creance, Jess or Bell

[~Sophia~]

No Creance, Jess or Bell


I am not mislaid 

in that green examination room. 

Vice sealing the tome -
a malignant narration, torn wing, 

bruised flight. 



I am not concealed,

a peripheral gryphon, 

the stone underlay of 

a bas-relief.



I am not wanting, 

molted feathers lining 

the basement floor

a vacant nest. 



I am here. No
leashes hold me.

A couplet of the gauntlet.
Imprinted by love.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Powerful assertions all the way through. I was most especially touched by:


I am not wanting, 

molted feathers lining 

the basement floor

a vacant nest. 




The spareness of the language was an intrinsic virtue of this poem, by contrast with your usually more intrically wrought and image rich poems.

[~Sophia~]

Thanks Prince. This was about my favorite Harris Hawk that was seriously hurt but recovered against the odds to fly again.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Thanks Prince. This was about my favorite Harris Hawk that was seriously hurt but recovered against the odds to fly again.

Ah, I suppose that somewhat clears up what to me was the mystery of the title?

[firefangled]

No Creance, Jess or Bell


I am not mislaid 

in that green examination room. 

Vice sealing the tome -
a malignant narration, torn wing, 

bruised flight. 



I am not concealed,

a peripheral gryphon, 

the stone underlay of 

a bas-relief.



I am not wanting, 

molted feathers lining 

the basement floor

a vacant nest. 



I am here. No
leashes hold me.

A couplet of the gauntlet.
Imprinted by love.


I've shared my life with many animals. In NC I rescued injured and motherless birds. I am not familiar with raptors, but I appreciate this poem so much for its language and what it says about love. I like the sounds and the message of the last stanza especially.

[~Sophia~]

Ah, I suppose that somewhat clears up what to me was the mystery of the title?

Creance: a light cord attached to the leg of a hawk to prevent escape during training.

Jess: a short strap fastened around the leg of a hawk and attached to the leash.

Bell: Falconers put bells on some birds to help locate them, particularly when they have taken a new bird into a forest.

Hope that helps with the title.

__________________________________________________ ______


Firefangled!


I've shared my life with many animals. In NC I rescued injured and motherless birds. I am not familiar with raptors, but I appreciate this poem so much for its language and what it says about love. I like the sounds and the message of the last stanza especially.

I've also spent a lot of time with exotics and all types of birds at rescue shelters. Kudos to you for doing that. There are so many environmental reasons to save them. I think because they are always there when we look up, we sometimes take them for granted - but many species are disappearing. Imagine a world without birds:( And, yes, it is a love poem. The old "if you love something set it free theme) Thanks for picking that up!

[a_little_wisp]

Oh, Sophia. This was a quietly stunning poem (and you said you only wrote dark things) - it made my heart warm, especially the last bit. Well done, friend. I'm so glad he's better!

[~Sophia~]

Thanks Wisp. (actually her name is Lucy and she's the first hawk I ever carried)