| |
|
Like fall leaves fluttering
in wind-tossed patterns,
their fingers flew fast,
eyes focused sharply
on total communication.
With kaleidoscope faces changing
from brooding brow to eager eye
from furrowed frown to grotesque grimace,
from tightened tooth to soothing smile,
together, they communicated.
Their hands were birds in flight:
humming birds, helicopter-hovering,
white, swift-flight carrier pigeons,
mountain blue birds building nests,
red-tailed hawks, soaring and diving,
graceful geese in victory formation,
always carefully communicating
with each other.
And I watched in fascination
with little understanding of their silent world
and only a glimpse of its beauty.
© by C. F. Kelly.
Used here with the author’s permission.
|
.jpg)
Cornelius Farrell Kelly (1936 - 2026) was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. As an adult, he moved to Pinedale, Wyoming and lived, with his wife of 60+ years, in a house they built with the help of their ten children at an altitude of 7300 feet above sea level. Cork began writing poetry at age twelve, eventually published eight chapbooks, and wrote a rhyming couplet every morning to post on his Facebook page. Cork spent twenty years teaching high school English and Spanish, then learned to swim and became coach of a girls' swim team. Late in life, he became a competitive swimmer (he said he frequently got ideas for a poem while swimming), participating in several senior events and, ultimately, qualifying for the National Senior Olympics. Learn more about him here.

|
|
rhonasheridan:
Going back to read past poems - this one is remarkable. So beautiful. I shall not overlook it again. Thank you for such understanding of such a problem.
Posted 01/24/2016 05:33 AM
|
bookie1510:
This reminds me of the deaf couple we met on a dive boat years ago. We had to stop talking once we got underwater but their hands never stopped. We were a little jealous. Thanks.
Posted 09/23/2015 11:23 AM
|
Donni:
Great first work on this site, Cork. Love it.
Posted 09/23/2015 09:22 AM
|
transitions:
Lovely~
Posted 09/22/2015 10:02 PM
|
barbsteff:
i like the line, "white, swift-flight carrier pigeons. Great metaphor.
Posted 09/20/2015 01:28 PM
|
pwax:
A very visual poem, with all the beautiful bird images, and (ironically)a poem which gives added pleasure when read out loud.
Posted 09/20/2015 12:13 PM
|
JanetruthMartin:
so good!
Posted 09/20/2015 09:12 AM
|
paradea:
Beautiful!!!
Posted 09/20/2015 08:42 AM
|
|
|
|