spring orchestra – downy woodpecker
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sticky tongue, tail prop, zygodactyl feet
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beneath the key of chained song (chick-a-dee
whistle, robin melodic and whitethroat
mnemonic, wheezy phoebe, junco click) –
grubs mumble, coil in rotting wood
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beneath low woodwind, blazing brass and string –
jagged percussion and drum roll, Downy
Woodpecker excavates sugar maple
stump, black jackhammer
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beak throws wood chips, heaps sawdust and splinters
dapper shudders, black and white, a grey smudge
bright head-bars, a red blur, tap a stammer
steady stutter, busyspeak
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Copyright 2015 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
Outstanding … love the way downy and hairy seem to be different sizes of the small creature.
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aFrankAngle
May 11, 2015 at 8:13 pm
Hi. Once you know their characteristics, you’ll never confuse them … fun to watch, rather obsessive and persistent personalities. Jane
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jane tims
May 12, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Wonderful poem and beautiful drawing!
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letspaintnature
May 8, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Hi. Thanks! Jane
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jane tims
May 10, 2015 at 8:52 pm
The sound in the poem’s words are echoing the sounds of the birds themselves. Wonderful. “Tap a stammer steady stutter, busyspeak” — very effective.
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Carol Steel
May 8, 2015 at 9:54 am
Hi Carol. Thanks! Looking forward to more bird poem-writing. Jane
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jane tims
May 10, 2015 at 8:53 pm
You capture the spring chorus so well with your words and poetry. The drawing is wonderful, too. 🙂
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Robin
May 8, 2015 at 8:03 am
Hi Robin. Spring peepers are out now. Lots of new sounds to hear! Jane
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jane tims
May 10, 2015 at 8:54 pm