after Franki Sparke’s artwork

eagles rise as birds of mercy refugees on feathered beds scalloping the sky after gunshots and spitting yellow, they face the shadows of silence darkness definite as chalkboards filled with the unwritten morning comes with dust in its eye in their new land dandelions won’t speak reason they too are gathered in vases Written in response to the image and in response to Twiglet #272 "shadows of silence"
I read Franki’s own statement about her work and have no doubt this influenced how I saw it so here is what Franki said:
“NIGHT FLIGHT (part of a series) is a response to the desperate and insistent wave of human migration happening now. Stencilled bird images evoke the natural, uncontroversial migration of species in search of resources and safety. But the overprinted human figures – who face the added complexity of borders, trauma and hope – express both terror and wonder.”
Do you have raptors in Australia?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t raptors just another name for birds of prey?
LikeLike
Y, but any Bop not just eagles. Sounds a silly question but the wildlife you have there is so different to the rest of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well we have lots of eagles, hawks, falcons. Last year I listened to an interview with a woman who has a sanctuary for injured raptors… not that far from here. So I guess the simple answer is yes! 🙂
LikeLike
Great photo op!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True! I haven’t been there yet. Now that the grip of COVID is waning, we should take a trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, awesome! This is such an evocative poem. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
THank you so much! So glad you like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it. Never thought of eagles as birds of mercy before. Thinking outside the box again. 👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thanks. But I don’t feel like it was I who thought outside the box about eagles in this case. It was Franki. 🙂 But glad you like the poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He painted the picture, but you had to see it in his images.🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those dandelions in vases is quite the image for me. Again, an excellent write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks!!!
LikeLike
You’re very welcome, Worms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This perfectly nails the current reality, Wormser; Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ron!
LikeLike
darkness definite as chalkboards
What a fantastic line. And I absolutely love the final stanza.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Bob! Much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent poem! I love the last stanza,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you di much!! 😊
LikeLike
Great poem. I especially like the last 2 stanzas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you !! So pleased it spoke to you.
LikeLike
The chalkboard stanza is inspiring, Worms. Love the trail of imagery you lead us down so skillfully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
THanks, K! So glad you like it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“darkness definite as chalkboards
filled with the unwritten”… ironically says so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Debi. I so appreciate your feedback.
LikeLike