I know. It’s Saturday. But the end of the school year kicked. my. butt. And my friend and fellow Inkling Linda Mitchell is hosting this week at her lovely blog, A Word Edgewise. So here is the next to last installment of my search for hope. (My National Poetry Month project)
Hope is…
lemon yellow goldfinches
feasting on thistle seed.
A sound startles.
They rise as one,
a small diaphanous cloud,
then scatter in a shower of sunsine.
Draft, © Catherine Flynn, 2023
The italicized line is from Carlo Rovelli’s book, Reality is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity. I previously used this line here.
Reading to the Core 
I love the last line “shower of sunshine”. What a beautiful image! I’m sad to see this project end. I hope you have collected them all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The end of the year kicked my butt too! That’s why I didn’t post last week–I just couldn’t even lift my head off the pillow until the last possible moment (and this from a person who usually writes for 2 hours before going to work). It’s just been a hard ending. I hope you get some rest and relaxation very soon!
And those goldfinches!!! About 2 months ago, I put up a goldfinch feeder. It took them about 3 weeks to find it (I was about to take it down and send it back). But now, they just keep draining it and I get to see those tiny yellow things hanging out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow…you’ve gotten to Y. That’s amazing…I admire your determination. I hear you on the tough year. Take care of yourself as much as possible this summer. I hope you get to Z…but you know what? There’s time. I’m enjoying your beautiful description of goldfinches, one of my favorite birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an image you created… shower of sunshine! I was reminded of my stepdad who faithfully kept a finch feeder filled for the little yellow eating machines! When my son was maybe 5 and we were “home” for a visit he watched and watched the birds. In the car as we were driving back, he drew a detailed picture of the birds at the feeder to send to Grandpa. Sweet memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a gorgeous poem, Catherine. Thank you! It was just what I needed to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“…finches feasting on thistle” — love this line…and I do believe hope is yellow 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with others that “shower of sunshine” really pops from your poem. Hope you get plenty of rest and relaxation now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice start to summer, when every day is Saturday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Catherine, that cloud of sweet yellow makes morning a beautiful example of sweet delight. My neighbor has bird feeders and we watch the procession to it. We even see the rabbits and crows parade over. Since we are having days of showers imagining the sunshine feels just right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Catherine–hooray, you’re to Y. And what a gorgeous poem–you used that line perfectly, too. I feel that rise of hope as the little cloud of birds lifts. Yes! Hope you have some down time over the summer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful images here, Catherine. Wishing you some time for yourself this summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost there, hooray! I almost never see a “cloud”, only one, maybe two, so your image brings me joy, Catherine. Glad you found time to post!
LikeLiked by 1 person