© 1999 Peter LaTourrette
‘Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) on ‘Ohi‘a
Pihea Trail, Kaua‘i
© 1999 Peter LaTourrette
The apapane sits
in the ohi'a tree.
He flies so quickly,
he's hard to see.
Red and black feathers
whir to the beat
as he pauses
for nectar to eat.
He loves to sing
all day long.
Can you can hear,
his lilting song?
The apapane (ah-pah-pah-neh) is a Kauai forest bird. It has black wings and a red body. It drinks nectar from the flowering trees, and, of course, the flowers are red, too. My bird book says the apapane is a member of the vireo family. I want to thank Peter LaTourette for permission to use his photograph. He's a brillant photographer. If you go here you can see several more examples.
What is you favorite bird? An owl? A flaming red cardinal? Or, a L.B.J. (little brown job)? Can you try to write your own poem about a bird today? Have fun exploring birds.
Amy Ludwig VanDerwater has a brand new book EVERY DAY BIRDS, with poems about birds you may enjoy reading. The paper cut illustrations by Dylan Metrano are spectacular.
There is beauty and peace in poetry.
Love pretty birdies! Glad you're viewing new ones up close.
ReplyDeleteI am full of happiness to see this jewel of a red bird, and I like to pretend he is a long distant cousin to my own cardinals... What a pretty bird in a pretty plant in a pretty poem... And I do love the word "lilting." Thank you for sharing this spot of beauty in your day and now in mine. x
ReplyDeleteHey Amy, I'm glad you found your way here. I can't wait to read your new book EVERY DAY BIRDS. I am having so much fun learning about all the new to me flora and fauna of Kauai. The Hawaiian words are a delight on my tongue too. I need to send a picture of the Brazilian cardinals that are here in addition to our familiar red ones.
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