Happy Poetry Friday!
This week I was privileged to attend a virtual reading by poet friends (many from this community) of poems written for the latest anthology from Irene Latham and Charles Waters, If I Could Choose a Best Day. Full of reading joy, this is a collection you will want to own. It is a celebration of the wonder in all of us who imagine the possibilities.
Not only was it delightful to hear so many voices reading their work, it was also inspirational. That morning, I spotted a female bluebird on the roof of the birdhouse. Then, just minutes later, I heard tapping on the window – the male! Was this her mate? I like to think this is the same bluebird, Fred, who visited me often last summer. Bluebirds don’t often tap on the window, but Fred has come close to the house before, attempting to get my attention. I wrote about Fred in my post Something New. I think of us as old friends, somehow understanding each other. Right after the poetry reading, I was inspired to write my own “If” poem.
To Fred, the Bluebird Tapping on My Window
If we could converse
would you tell me about your winter,
introduce me to your new friend,
ask if I have mealworms to share?
If we could converse
I would warn you about the sparrows,
disclose where the wind damaged a limb,
ask your advice for my new garden.
Like neighbors meeting
across a fence
we are old friends,
happy in each other’s company…
conversing.
Draft, 2025RoseCappelli
Margaret has the roundup today at Reflections on the Teche where she presents an original poem in the form of a weather forecast. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness and a link with information about the 2025 Kidlit Progressive Poem.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, I missed the reading this week because of a conflict. I love bluebirds, though, we seldom see them this far south. Conversing with a bluebird is a sweet conversation with a neighbor. I love that you named him. I also like the If form. I should try it sometime.
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Thanks, Margaret. And thanks also for hosting this week!
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So sweet! I’m charmed 🙂
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Rose! As often happens when I read your poetry, I’m sitting here thinking “this could be a picture book!” We haven’t had bluebirds for a few years, so we just put out a new bluebird house (since camellias have grown up around our first one). I haven’t checked to see for sure, but I have seen a pair of bluebirds at the feeder, so I maybe they have moved in?? Thanks so much for sharing the IF joy…that reading inspired me, too! xo
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Thanks, Irene! Others (like Janet Wong!) have told me that about some of my poems, too. I’ll be working on that.
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I’m seeing bluebirds, too. But none are knocking on my window! Lovely poem, Rose
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Thanks, Carol!
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Rose, your poem made me smile! I hope that Fred is thinking exactly those thoughts as well. I adore the idea of you two being able to converse over a fence like old friends. : )
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Yes, I remember Fred — and I love bluebirds. 🙂 Your poem is just delightful. I love imagining being able to converse with a feathered friend.
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Thanks, Jama.
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Your garden visitor sounds like a delightful feathered friend and great to have around. The imagined conversation adds a further binding element to your poem, Rose. Well composed.
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Fred is one lucky bluebird to have you noticing him, planning your conversation with him, considering your book about him! Lovely.
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Rose, I’m loving that conversation with your bluebird Fred.
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I’m glad to hear that Fred is back, and might be raising a family in your yard! Tell him I said hi, when next you chat!
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Awwwww, Fred. What a lovely friend to have. I’ll bet Fred would like my friend, Gladys. Bird friends are the best. Aren’t they? Wonderful post. Thank you!
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Oh, I love this so much, Rose, your whole post and the poetic conversation. What a good friend you are to Fred and the other Feathereds. I replaced our old bluebird house this year; have seen a male their once (same male as in years past?) and a pair there a week or so ago, but on this beautiful Spring-like day today, it’s quiet out there. So I’m not sure if they’ll use it this year? We’ll see. I’ve had an encounter or two in years past with a bird tapping on the window as I was working on something creative – I’m all for lots of animal spirit guides, not just one!
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Oh I do hope your birds nest in your new house! And yay to animal spirit guides!
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I love bluebirds. We don’t often see them near my house, but we do have a lot of robins and little brown birds. I think they might be wrens. They are fascinating to watch. Your poem is so peaceful and makes me wonder about that conversation. xo
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Fred is a charmer. 🙂 ❤️
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