Poet’s Corner: Sunshine

World Bird Sanctuary friend and poet Marge Biermann writes about Sunshine, the Short-eared Owl.  We named this bird Sunshine because Short-eared Owls are one of the few diurnal owls.

Sunshine

Need a little Sunshine to light up your day?

You could come and visit him….that’s one way.

This little one of just ounces under a pound,

Comes from Nebraska where he was found.

Hurt in a farm accident with a hay baling thing,

Now can’t ever again use his little right wing.

He will spend his days on the WBS display line,

Where visitors can meet this little ray of “Sunshine”.

Enjoy his beauty and his fierce determined stare

Oh, yes, we do have one secret about him to share.

Since an owl’s gender can be a bit vague,

We’ll just have to let you know if “he” lays an egg!

As with all of our animal residents, Sunshine is available for adoption in our Adopt A Bird program.  Click here if you would like to adopt Sunshine.

Submitted by Marge Biermann, World Bird Sanctuary Guest Author

Owl

World Bird Sanctuary is proud to present another poem by guest author Marge Biermann posing the question "How did the owl get his hoot?"

Wild Barred Owl (photo: Cathy Spahn)

OWL

I didn’t hear my friend, Owl, last night,

Guess he found another tree in which to light.

So many to choose from during his nocturnal cruise,

While other birds are snuggled in their nests having a snooze.

He “Hoots” to the moon and every small star.

His penetrating call is heard near and far….

A solitary voice in the silent night so dark,

I often wonder where he perched on Noah’s Ark.

On the railing, perhaps, overlooking waters deep,

While all the others settled in to find some sleep?

Did he gain his wisdom watching waves lap against the boat….

Is that when the “Hoot” was formed in his throat?

Was it a haunting lullaby Creator used to send his peace,

Assuring his creatures all would pass, the rains would cease?

Maybe Owl is wiser than most….so stoic and calm,

Because long, long ago his voice served as a balm.

To bring serenity and peace to Creator’s traveling ark,

Until it was time for all to disembark.

For a “Job well done” Creator gave Owl his “Hoot”,

Because with his body it just seemed to suit.

And for his patience displayed sitting on that Ark’s rail,

Creator gave him wisdom from his head to his tail!

Submitted by World Bird Sanctuary Guest Author Marge Biermann

Listen

Many of us find a special tranquility when communing with nature—whether it be in our back yards, in the woods, by the shore of a lake, or in a nearby park.  Below World Bird Sanctuary friend, Marge Biermann, tells us what she hears when she seeks the peace and quiet of nature.

Listen

God speaks to me through each cricket, butterfly and bird,

Absolutely the very best sounds I’ve ever heard.

I listen with my heart….It has a good ear,

Catching every message from these creatures so dear.

The butterfly is quiet and it takes a little while.

Her words have special beauty and a gentle style.

Now that cricket loves the deep dark of night.

It’s then he chirps with all of his small might.

Then there are the birds….Beautiful, feathered creatures.

Where do I start to speak of all their outstanding features.

Each voice so different….from a peep to a hoot,

And each set of feathers a varied style of suit.

Most are early risers, but not our Owl friend.

He’s just beginning as our day starts to end.

Birds usually are first to greet a new season,

And seem always ready to sing without any reason.

They show their young by example how to fly,

And I’m sure they must get sad, but I’ve not seen one cry.

Once a pair of Robins nested in my flowers,

And I watched them tend their eggs for hours.

Three babies were hatched and guarded with care.

To approach the nest you wouldn’t dare.

No matter the danger they stood their ground.

Two better parents were not to be found.

When they all left that nest it was a sad day,

But I learned so much in such a pleasant way.

There are countless lessons out there without end,

Just stop and listen to a little wildlife friend.

The next time you visit the World Bird Sanctuary, take a moment to rest on one of our benches or walk one of our trails.  Who knows what you might hear?

Submitted by World Bird Sanctuary Guest Author, Marge Biermann            

Creative Contest Winner

World Bird Sanctuary recently held a Creative Contest, where we asked entrants to submit their appreciation of birds in any medium of their choice.

This poem, the winner in its age category, was submitted by Melissa Anderson.  It brought tears to the eyes of every single one of us who work or volunteer in the wildlife hospital, and I wanted to share it with you.

"Stuffed in to a cage, bars surround me..."

Saviors

I sit on a tree, sun shining on me, my chicks squawk, chirp, cheep, for some food from me.  I swoop down, wind in my wings, I feel free, lucky, alive…..Bang!  My wing, my insides, they’re broken, I cannot fly.  My babies-oh my, my babies, they need me, I must try.  My body is in control, I tuck and roll, to the ground I fall, this-this is not good at all.  The earth rough, the mountain steep, I grow weak, I let out one final call, letting them know I have fall-en; I won’t be home for dinner.  Be strong, be brave, trust the sky, I will not die.  Dusk falls, from the brush I hear a rustle, oh dear.  What now? What could it be? Have they finally come for me?  Orange vests, sunlight in their hands, a person shouts, bends down.   I make a struggled sound, they pick me up, put me to sleep.  In the morning-give me something to eat, I search, I cry, I bite, I just want to fly.  They poke me, they study, they seem to care, yet I long for fresh air.  One day they come, eager, excited, I turn my head, from my make shift bed, I see kill for me.  A rope around my feet, a glove on her hand.  Am I going to see real land? Stuffed in to a cage, bars surround me, I will fight, I promised, for my babies-I will! I’m taken out, held in hands, they surround me, watching, observant, they lift me high, watch me fly.  I blow kisses goodbye, thank you strangers!   Babies I’m home! “Mama, Mama? They call, not confused at all.” You’re well!” “Yes aren’t things swelling?”

A squawk in the distance calls my attention, my mate, he brings me food.   Thank you dear strangers, World Bird Sanctuary, for a while I was very wary, but you made me well, you made me strong.  Its making my heart swell, to just think you did this for me, I’m home, with my chicks, hunting, flying, soaring high.  Just watch me fly!"

 "....they lift me high, watch me fly."

Thank you, Melissa, for such a beautiful poem – which serves as an inspiration to us every day.

Submitted by Joe Hoffmann, Sanctuary Manager.