24
the blackbird said
it was dark inside
and smelled of fire and lard
too tightly packed to move
they pretended it was night
inside the casket of crust
the knife that freed them passed
between two feathers of his wing
and damaged one barb
there was noise then
brightness and confusion
I asked him did you sing
we escaped, he said
we did not sing
Barbara Young was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1947. She writes, “I wrote poetry in high school and college, but quit because I had nothing to say. Tried writing a novel in a month. But did not finish. Five times. Which must make me an optimist, if one with a short attention span. Last April I tried a poem-a-day challenge, and decided that having nothing to say can be liberating.”
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I sure do like the way you say nothing.
Barbara! It’s great to hear your poetry in your voice. I enjoyed the perspective of the blackbird, fun idea. Especially enjoyed the alliteration with the line “they pretended it was night inside the casket of crust.” Happy day to you! :)
Barbara – This is wonderful. And, like Hannah, I loved hearing you read it.
Loved the poem, Barbara. Everything has a point of view!
I absolutely love this poem. Glad you’ve continued writing.
I keep this poem in my notebook so I can reread it whenever I want. I love it.
I’m laughing because the poor bird did not sing!
Great take on this nursey rhyme. Poor thing!
Oops. Nursery.
Loved the perspective on this one, Barb. He probably was just too elated at being free to find his song – whew! that was a close one.
– Dina
You’re such a wonderful reader Barbara!
Congratulations on the nomination! This is a wonderful piece.
Barbara, This piece is incredible! You create intimacy with a blackbird, that brings me to a second, third, etc read. Congratulations for your nomination!
~Brenda