CHRISTMAS MORNING

[Sue Littleton]

Petruccio the Siamese meowed me awake.
I staggered out of bed to the coffee pot.
Last night’s wine goblets and water glasses
winked and blinked in admonishment.

You didn’t wash up! shrieked plates and flatware.
So what! Wait your turn! I replied.

Coffee! Ahhh! Left over plum cobbler, yum.
Next – cat food in bowls. Water the plants.
Opened shutters to spread seeds for the little doves.

Wait! What is that marvelous bird perched on the electric cable?
Downtown Buenos Aires, and here at my window
an exotic wild bird from the hinterlands
observing me from a bright jet eye.

Large head striped white on black, gray body,
I have seen his photo somewhere, and where ever
he belongs, it is not here, in this urban garden
surrounded by apartments.

He lets me look at him with the proper amazement
and flits away, leaving me stunned with my Christmas gift—
a wonderous visit from a wonderous bird.
Happy Christmas Morning, everyone!

[jim turner]

You're a wondrous bird, too, sending me this Christmas greeting. Overcast and colder here this morning and I got a fire going happily before the rain began. Hope you learn what bird paid you the visit. jim

[Sue Littleton]

Hey, Jim! Would you believe I found a photo of him on the Internet? He is a "benteveo" He calls "ben - tey VEO!" ("Well I see you") and he certainly was in the wrong area -- he is a bird of streams and marshes and eats small fish. Rather the bane of the trout hatcheries here!

At least you have a roaring fire to roar heat at you -- best regards, Sue♥

[Arcadia]

beautiful poem Sue!...
and yeah, it seems they cross city borders if the atmosphere is propicia!.
Yesterday I was woke up by the sun through the open persianas early in the morning and thanks to the aire acondicionado was off I could also listen to them with their "bicho feo, bicho feo" (that´s how we more usually call them). Loved their country sound in the middle of an unusual calm and silent downtown morning and continue sleeping...

felices fiestas for you too!!!!!

[Sue Littleton]

Gracias, Arcadia! Yes, of course, benteveo, bicho feo -- anyway, he had NO business hanging around outside my window, but it was lovely to see him. He is the third exotic (as in displaced) bird I have seen around the apartments. There are a pair of zorzals that "sing" from 4:00 AM on in the neighborhood, but they seem to belong. They come back every year, and for several years nested on my tiny balcony.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Rosarina, and that 2011 is positive for everyone! Cariños y besos, Sue♥♥♥

[justwalt]

what was the cat's opinion?

[Sue Littleton]

The cats were so busy droolng over the doves they barely noticed the benteveo-- his appearance was very brief, but he sure made an impression on me, my yes!