before the snow falls….
this winter, we’ll warm ourselves
with wine and firelight
*
within tall sheltering walls
we’ll lighten lovelost shadows
through this longest night
*
green-winged chiffchaff calls
warbling from the weeping winter willows: –
woke spirits take flight
*
**
*
freddie omm
the hague
winter solstice, 2019
*
The chiffchaff (pictured below) has an onomatopoeic name evoking its song (cf Dutch: tjiftjaf; German: Zilpzalp) – even though the trilling chirrups of the chiffchaffs I’ve heard sound more like chee chee than chiffchaff. (And how, in any case, could a bird produce an ff , let alone an lp sound?)
Most chiffchaffs who breed in Europe migrate south in winter, but they seem quite keen on the continent, arriving earlier in spring, and leaving later in autumn than other birds.
Avian heralds of global warming, many of these summer colonists are now becoming permanent residents, overwintering by Dutch and Belgian coasts, the English Channel, on southern Welsh and Irish shores, in Normandy and Britanny, and along the Mediterranean.
For all that, this slightly bastardised haiku chain isn’t exclusively about chiffchaffs, much as I love their presence and the vigorous, spirit-enlivening brio of their song.
Tender, beautiful words and imagery – Merry Christmas!
Thank you and likewise, James!
The solstice safely passed, it is time to enjoy the sounds of these unseasonal birds, singing and binging us unexpected joy and cheerfulness as the darkness fades and yes, “woke spirits take flight”!
I hope your dear spirits are also well woke and ready to fly onward and upward into the New Year.
Happy Holidays to all.
Thank you very much, Scarlett – enjoy the days.
Beautiful poem and lovely photo
<3
Thanks much, Luisa.
Quite lovely, soothing in its cozy situation, but energising as well, in its image of the birdsong that impels the woke spirits to take their flight.