hermit thrush – a poem put to song
One of the poems in my new book ‘mnemonic’ is about my favourite bird – the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus). Once you have listened to this bird singing in the woods, your life will be forever changed.
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Many thanks to Alan Edgar (alan@science-music.karoo.co.uk) who put the words of ‘hermit thrush’ to music after a study of the bird’s complex melody. ‘Hermit Thrush Song’ is the resulting musical arrangement. https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/hermit-thrush-song-soprano-with-pianoforte-digital-sheet-music/22120849. Thanks also to Mary Lee McKenna for playing the ‘Hermit Thrush Song’ on the piano for me, to help me know Alan Edgar’s melody.
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Here is ‘hermit thrush,’ an ‘author’s favourite’ poem in my book mnemonic.
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Hermit thrush
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Catharus guttatus
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neither visceral nor guttural, ethereal
tip-toe in tree tops
air pulled into taffy thread
a flute in the forest
froth on a wave
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rain trembles on leaf tips
guttation drops on strawberry
a lifted curtain of mayflower
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I saw you there
hidden in the thicket
and I followed
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climb the ladder and sing
then step to the rung below
heads up, thoughts of the new day
parting of the beak
pulse at the throat
hairs lift
at the nape
of the neck, fingers
warble the keys
between middle and ring
catharsis
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This poem and drawing are with others in my poetry book ‘mnemonic,’ now available from Chapel Street Editions (https://chapelstreeteditions.com/book-catagories/poetry/mnemonic/ ). The book is also available at Westminster Bookmark in Fredericton and Dog Eared Books in Oromocto.
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Hope you love my book!
All my best….
Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
A beautiful poem and lovely drawing of the hermit thrush. I saw and heard my first one ever last fall.
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Barbara Rodgers
February 22, 2024 at 7:59 am
Hi Barbara. Thanks! They are wonderful to hear. Glad to hear from you. My blogging effort has been pitiful the last couple of years.
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jane tims
February 22, 2024 at 1:17 pm
I always enjoyed your drawings and poetry, Jane, and would love to see more of it when you’re up to the effort again. ♡
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Barbara Rodgers
February 23, 2024 at 7:40 am
thanks! more to come I am sure. …..lots of projects on the go. Blog lets me take stock as I work.
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jane tims
February 24, 2024 at 10:30 pm