It’s Poetry Friday! Tabatha has the round up today at The Opposite of Indifference. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
The second brood of bluebird chicks are close to fledging. Very close. I check on them daily but know not to get too close. Bluebird parents can be very protective. Yesterday I watched from a safe distance -beaks peaking, eyes exploring, feathered friends ready. Sometimes being respectful of nature can be hard, but I remember my own experiences with launching a brood (just two), and I understand.
Even Though
all I want to know
is if the chicks fledged,
the bluebirds swoop
in warning.
Even though
I provided the house,
even though
I protect them from the sparrows,
even though
what I really want
is to watch the chicks
take that first hop into the world.
Might I overstep, interfere,
get it wrong?
Even though
I fledged two chicks of my own,
even though
I watched them misstep,
even though
they found their footing,
I’ll keep my distance…
remembering.
Draft, RoseCappelli2025
My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the flooding in Texas. May you find peace and closure. While nature can be a source of much joy, it can also bring terrible devastation.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Texas. My goodness, what horrific scenes and reports. Yes, prayers for Texas. I cannot imagine the horrors described.
Your repeated phrase, “even though” is wonderful! I so understand that phrase as a mother who would love to see more, say more, want to be more present in some of my adult children’s conversations and well, grown up playdates! But, alas. Even though I’ve provided the house, snacks, launchpad…I am to stay in my lane and observe from afar. I get this poem. And, I love it.
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Thank you, Linda!
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What a lovely metaphor of motherhood – watching the fledglings flounder, stepping back, even though you could help, even though you understand — even though, there are things one mustn’t do. That repeated phrase turns the readers attention to the hesitations and the doubts but also the repetition speaks to certainty. Really like this one! Thanks for sharing it.
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Thank you, Tanita!
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I love the thoughtful way you described your ”bluebird watch”, Rose, and the connection to your own children, fledging, growing up to fly away. It’s a poignant poem. And, I hope you share about what happened to those birds whenever you can!
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Thank you, Linda.
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I love how you show both the space that we want to leave other beings in the natural world and our deep connection to them. The form, with all the white space, is perfect.
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Thanks, Karin.
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Oh, the push-pull of wanting to step in, knowing we could step in, and … knowing when to stay back. Love this, Rose.
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Thanks, Karen.
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Rose I love the connection you make to your experience as a mom. Lovely!
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Thank you so much, Irene!
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I am right there being curious with you! I’m glad you gave the bluebirds a safe space to grow. Hope they are launched successfully! Lovely connections in your poem.
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I really love your use of anaphora in this poem. And I love that you write about bluebirds often (there’s a book in there somewhere)!
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Your kind last sentence in this post is lovely and piercingly true, Rose. And thank you for the beautiful bluebird poem. I have sad news to report on our bluebird front. After I’d seen the parents (the male especially) hovering at the nestbox but not going in, and realizing I hadn’t heard the babies in a day or so, I opened the latch to the little door that lifts up revealing a clear plastic wall. I was startled to see a snake in there. The nest box was supposed to deter predators, but it didn’t deter a snake trying to make a living. I was pretty heartbroken; I think this happened a year or so ago here as well (different birdhouse), so I’ll take down the houses.
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“Even Though” is a sensitive and powerful poem, with suggested boundaries not always easy to follow, thanks Rose!
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I am gutted by Texas. I cannot imagine. And “Even Though” hit home. I am waiting to see my baby juncos fledge.
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From the Home of the Tardiest PF Comments Ever–
I am thrilled by the resurgence of the bluebird population in our area–it feels so hopeful–and what a beautifully crafted poem, as others have said. “Even though” is a phrase so abstract, so quirky in its grammar, but your poem manages to define it while bringing us a whole pair of intertwined stories. Nice to see you the other night!
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Nice to see you, too, Heidi!
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Rose – I love so much in this poem…Love that your title walks us into the story; love the repeated “Even though”… REALLY love that you connected the fledglings to your own children so seamlessly –and that you end it with such wisdom and humility. Well done!
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