Taken a few years ago at a previous house, ice not uncommon inland in winter. I decided it was too thick for the birds to break through, so I gave them a little help.
Capitol Freeze
There’s an ill wind in the north,
as springtide fades and darkness descends,
and a sharp chill fills the air.
Leaves of all denomination are blown about
without a thought or a care,
while ice has taken the ground once warm with hope,
and is now possessed by unwelcome forces
that seem to be here to stay.
When will it go away? We ask.
When spring returns, of course,
two years hence,
and Jack Frost is no longer,
then the Capitol freeze will thaw,
and the bulbs of hope,
though battered by the cold,
are yet hardened survivors,
ready to rise up and show their colours.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul,
pvcann.com
I think I remember when it snowed at Wave Rock – or was that only a story?
But I remember going around with a group of others and picking up the birds and putting them into boxes lined with hay until the snow melted …
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I heard it had a couple of times over the decades 😊
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Also -it goes without saying really – anyone who rescues birds is in high esteem – wonderfull work.
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Maybe I should tell you about the parrot-pub we currently operate? A pineapple guava flowers, and all the coloured parrots come in to get their drunk! It’s wonderful.
We also leave one apple and one pear tree for their use, one half of the almond tree (different each year so it gets trimmed relatively evenly) … etc. Love birds in the wild, happy to share with them.
And New Holland Honeyeaters get rid of European Wasps … who knew?
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Absolutely, and a few others like wattle birds and minas do too, which is wonderful. I like your parrot pub, such a great idea for sharing.
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ouch two more sullen years of this maniacal freeze .. sending them light and love to thaw their sorrowful hearts 🙂
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Me too ❤️
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Always the promise of spring to come…always welcome when it arrives.
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Yes, I think the contrast is helpful for our health too
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True.
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i liked the term capital freeze, the ice is so clear, and thank you for helping the birds
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Thank you so much Gina
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Takes me back to when I had two outside big dogs. I still miss them.
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Yes, one never forgets
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I like the layers of meaning in your home. Lets hope that thaw will begin to make itself felt soon.
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Absolutely, because although it is your domestic issue, it also affects the rest of us too.
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Sorry – I’m meant poem not home – my fingers worked faster than my brain!
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I so do that all the time 🙂
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I love the poem, Paul! Thank you for helping the birds.
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Always help the birds and the frogs, so vulnerable
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So very true
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Reblogged this on Alessandria today.
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Wow, thank you for that.
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🙂 So nice of you to help them like that. They have to maintain a body temperature of 39 to 40 degrees C!
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Thanks Tom, that’s the incredible thing about birds (nature in general), that balance is so critical.
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What a beautiful one !!!
Awesome title 💙
Aww !! That freeze……
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Many thanks
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Wowowowo!!!
By the way,Australia’s Drought has become well?
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The drought on the east coast has eased with some rain – but it will now be a long wait till winter in 2019 and hopefully proper rain.
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Are crops and animals ok？😢
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There were no crops, many animals now safe
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Very clever >
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Thank you so much
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Wonderful poem. I am hopeful for the thaw in two years, but worried..
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Yes, I think many in the world would echo your words. Thank you so much.
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