FOR VALENTINE'S DAY: Epigram For Mourning Doves
Tamera WIll WissingerNot long ago I was awakened from a deep, early morning sleep by a glorious; “whoo WA whooo,” the call of a mourning dove. It’s a sweet, sad, unmistakable song that reminds me of pine trees and maple trees, dappled feathers, sunshine and childhood; not a bad way to start the day. I lounged and listened as I woke up. You can visit All About Birds if you want to hear a sound very similar to what I was hearing: MOURNING DOVE SOUNDS
This particular mourning dove was perched on the railing just outside my bedroom window as the sun came up and he was so intent on his singing that he didn’t even stir when I started to snap photos through the window from less than ten feet away:
“What,” I wondered, “could cause such focus?” Well, the good people at All About Birds had an answer to this question. Here’s what they say: You can often hear paired males give the three-parted “nest call” while nest-building: a coo-OO-oo, highest in the middle. Females sometimes call ohr ohr while sitting on the nest.
It turns out that, despite its melancholy name, this male bird was content. He was part of a pair, nesting, and calling to his mate.
All About Birds say that the female returns the call with a short ohr ohr. I did hear a female call back on this particular morning, but I didn’t see her and eventually the male on my railing flew away, presumably to meet the female at their nest. And so in honor of this happy mourning dove couple, and in celebration of Valentine’s Day, I wrote a slightly anthropomorphic poem:
EPIGRAM FOR MOURNING DOVES
The early morning mourning dove
Sings: whoo WA whooo, up here, my love.
An echo back: whoo whoo, down here.
Come help me build our nest, my dear.
© 2013 Tamera Will Wissinger
Happy Valentine’s Day love birds and bird lovers alike!
For Verseday #7, Gabrielle Prendergast is featuring Tim Sinclair, Australian verse novelist and poet, who is talking about poetry and real love at versenovel.com
Also featured today is Marci Atkins, who, for Valentine's Day, is offering a printable annotated list of her favorite Haiku books at marcieatkins.com
And tomorrow Poetry Friday is being hosted by Linda at teacherdance.com
02.14.2013
Reader Comments (5)
It's quite wonderful what can happen when we pay attention, isn't it? Great that you heard the dove and found a love poem in the call. Thank you!
Reply: Hi Linda. So true about paying attention. I'm glad you enjoyed this love poem. Thanks for stopping by!
We have quite a number of mourning doves around our house here in Tucson. Every spring we've had a couple nest on the eave beam right outside our front door (not the best spot!). We come in and out through the garage so as to not disturb them. Love that they reminded you of love and contentment on Valentine's Day. Thanks for sharing, Tamera! =)
Reply: Hi Bridget. Good to "see" you here. Oh, how great that you have mourning doves nesting on your home. I love that you use an alternate way in when they're nesting near your front door, as inconvenient as that is! It reminded me that we once had robins nesting on a gable near our kitchen window - we got to watch those babies fledge! It's quite exciting.
I should send this poem to my mother. She detests the call of the mourning dove. I haven't been able to convince her otherwise...maybe your poem and information could!
Well written poem! Short, tight, says a lot in just a few words.
Hi Mary Lee and Matt! Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Lee, I'm sorry that your mother feels so strongly about the mourning dove's call. If you think it could help, feel free to share this poem and info with her.
Thanks, Matt, for your feedback on my poem! I'm glad you think it's written well.