Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A Stranger’s Gift

She called me over, actually,
interrupted my walk, and asked,
“do you see it? do you see it?”
I squeezed my vision
through spaces in tangled vines,
and around a few die-hard flags of Fall;
there on a limb not ten feet away—
the closest I’ve ever been, a Red Tail Hawk.
The lady didn’t know me, nor I her,
but what a gift to give a stranger.

20 comments:

polona said...

what a gift, really!
(i adore birds of prey)
love this one!

MB said...

Nice! And a very nice gift! Wish I'd been there.

Cathy said...

How lovely; I hope this is a true story!

Anonymous said...

I see it! I see it! Beautiful, Pat.

Elena Horowitz-Brookes said...

I love when a stranger will take the time to share something special such as this. Thank you for sharing this with us. I feel like I was there with the two of you.

Margie said...

Wonderful one Pat!
I am an avid bird watcher...
and would have loved such a gift!

Oh...btw...our weather here gives
me the shivers too!!
BRRRRRRRRRR!
trying to stay warm, and shovel the snow!!
(in response to your comment)

Take care pat!

Margie

Anonymous said...

Red tail hawk

wow what a sight

lucky you for getting such a gift

Anonymous said...

Cool! I try to take snap shops of birds when I can but don't really have the camera for it yet. Maybe Christmas will be good for me. :)

jel said...

Very cool, :)

and to hear them call is just as cool!

Masago said...

Wow, some of the best gifts don't involve greenbacks, eh?

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

indeed -- people are pretty much good. :)

floots said...

fantastic moment
intimacy with a stranger

Anonymous said...

I understand those sentiments exactly. Every view is a blessing.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Can I put this gift on my Christmas list? They are inspiring to watch soar too! Touching Pat!

trinitystar said...

it is said ... that almost everyday a stranger brings one a gift ... it is just sometimes we do not recognise it ... How wonderful for you!
:o)

Unknown said...

loved the lines... "squeezed my vision"... and the "die hard flags of fall" - and wondered if red tails get as misty eyed over seeing humans up close? ;) I would love it if they did.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Talk of Yellow Tail (referring to vines in your poem) and Red Tail (referring to the majestic hawk in your poem). Cheers to both! Good one Pat!

ann said...

she had to share.... that way it was real and not a figment of her imagination.

I love birds... this meant a lot to me

lotsa luv ann xxxxx

Pat Paulk said...

Polona, it really was. One I'll reflect on the rest of my life. Thank you!!

MB, wish you had too!!Thank you!!

Cathy, it is very true!! It was amazing it didn't fly off.

SB, gorgeous isn't it!!

Thanks Boulies!! I'm glad I was able to write it where you could.

Thank you Margie!! Hope the snow got shoveled.

Whispers, I felt very honored by the lady and the bird.

Grish, I hope Christmas is very good to you. Thank you!!

Janice, I heard yesterday they do that to put fear in the hearts of their prey, so they'll get confused, and make it easier for them to catch. Thank you!! Hope all is warm and well!!

Thanks Kai!!

Vaughn, you are right!!

Andrew, some actually think beyond themselves. Amazing!!

Floots, it was!! Thanks!!

Joyce, I agree!!

Absolutely!! Thanks Russell!! I walk there almost everyday, and I keep hoping to see it like that again.

Mikaelah, those are my favorite lines in the poem too. Thank you!! I would like to think so, but, I think we're just more something to watch and be careful of.

Kranti, thanks!!

Thanks Ann!! Good point.

gautami tripathy said...

Liked the way you captured that moment here..