HUMMINGBIRD POETRY
a feature of wayne owen's HUMABOUT hummingbird photography
all poems have copyrights and are the property of the writers
.
POEMS

The Hummingbird
by Fiona McKimmy

Came the spring, I picked a corner and
set my mind to making a flower
garden in the midst of this mass of
weeds unattended through
Winters toughening of the soil.
I tilled, and pulled, and turned, and broke, and bled...
The soil was perfect now...
But, alas! The puppy was fervent in her efforts to help me dig!
So I cut, and I sawed, and I nailed,
and created the most beautiful little picket fence with a gate.....
and planted a tree......
and planted my flowers...
and tended and watered and weeded
and nurtured all through the Spring and Summer months....
To this day, this perfect Autumn morning,
while standing in my doorway,
sipping that first cup of coffee....
I saw the fast-beating wings of that little faerie,
flitting from flower to flower...
was all worth it in that one moment. 

 

Hummingbird, 

When I was small I reckoned you would stab me through the hand. You fall,
and slice up space -- your spiked eclipse and orbit dips, a hiding place 
in thin air. But now that I love you, your fear of me eyes the shut 
window where I sit still in hot and apricot sunlight. I try 
not to move as you seem not to, stopped at the blue ledge of a dash -- 


-- Rhonda Speck 


A Route of Evanescence
by Emily Dickinson

A Route of Evanescence
With a revolving Wheel --
A Resonance of Emerald --
A Rush of Cochineal --
And every Blossom on the Bush
Adjusts its tumbled Head --
The mail from Tunis, probably,
An easy Morning's Ride --

 

The Hummingbird symbolizes transformation.
She guides the young children through
the Nierika, the doorway to the other world.
She brings them to all of the places
of power and knowledge. 


Myth of the Huichol Indians of Mexico.

 

The Hummingbird
by Harry Kemp

The sunlight speaks. And it's voice is a bird:
It glitters half-guessed half seen half-heard
Above the flower bed. Over the lawn ...
A flashing dip and it is gone.
And all it lends to the eye is this --
A sunbeam giving the air a kiss.

 

Hummingbird
by Desi Faraci Leavitt

Only a glimpse
    at shimmering speed.
a presence so grand
    stunning indeed.
a sign of great love . . . the hummingbird. 

Ode to a Hummingbird

by Laurence Overmire

  

Light shot through diaphanous wing

Fifty beats per second

 

Its long beak dipped in the flower of

Life’s sweet nectar

 

Too fleet to see without an informative eye

A blur in the green gasp of forest needles

Yet when spied, delight

 

The happenstance of cat’s catching

Fate’s vivid colors dancing

 

In the rainbow shade

‘Twixt day and night.

 

 

Within my Garden, rides a Bird
by Emily Dickinson

Within my Garden, rides a Bird
Upon a single Wheel --
Whose spokes a dizzy Music make
As 'twere a travelling Mill --

He never stops, but slackens
Above the Ripest Rose --
Partakes without alighting
And praises as he goes,

Till every spice is tasted --
And then his Fairy Gig
Reels in remoter atmospheres --
And I rejoin my Dog,

And He and I, perplex us,
If positive, 'twere we --
Or bore the Garden in the Brain
This Curiosity --

But He, the best Logician,
Refers my clumsy eye --
To just vibrating Blossoms!
An Exquisite Reply!


Winged Jewel
unknown

With wings spun of silver and hearts of gold,
These tiny creatures our hearts behold.
With angelic features and colors so bright,
Make even the heaviest heart seem light.
The magical way they flit through the sky,
They appear, then vanish in the blink of an eye.
They're sending a message for us to retrieve,
Anything's possible for those who believe!

 

Humming-Bird
D.H. Lawrence

I can imagine, in some otherworld
Primeval-dumb, far back
In that most awful stillness, that only gasped and hummed,
Humming-birds raced down the avenues.

Before anything had a soul,
While life was a heave of matter, half inanimate,
This little bit chipped off in brilliance
And went whizzing through the slow, vast, succulent stems.

I believe there were no flowers then,
In the world where the humming-bird flashed ahead of creation.
I believe he pierced the slow vegetable veins with his long beak.

Probably he was big
As mosses, and little lizards, they say, were once big.
Probably he was a jabbing, terrifying monster.

We look at him through the wrong end of the telescope of Time,
Luckily for us.

 

The Hummingbirds
by Charlotte Smith

Minutest of the feathered kind,
Possessing every charm combined,
Nature, in forming thee, designed
A proof within how little space
She can comprise such perfect grace,
Rendering the lovely; fairy race

 

The  Hummingbird
by Angel L. Villanueva 

I opened my eyes,
And there she was,
The hummingbird.
Funny how fragile she is...
And yet, so powerful in flight.
I gaze in amazement as she hovers,
Searching for that one flower,
To give her what she so desires.
Selectively, carefully, she searches.
The hummingbird.
What a beautiful creature.
As I admire her, 
I can't help but to think...
What if I'm the flower she searches for?
I smile...and close my eyes.
There is no creature that compares to her...
The hummingbird.

 

Hummingbirds
Sylvia Finegan

The Hummingbird is cute and tiny;
Sometimes his wings look very shiny.
His beak is long and comes to a point;
And in it you won't find a joint.

He's stays around the feeder, and protects his food;
He's sometimes aggressive, with alot of attitude.
A humming sound, he seems to mutter;
His wings are so fast, you might see them flutter.

He'll go from flower, to feeder, to flower;
He'll fly through a water mist, to take his shower.
A brand new feeder, he has found;
One he can eat from, and buzz all around.

At the end of the summer, you must fly away;
But I know you'll be back, again someday.

 

 

A Hummingbird
Spoke To Me One Day

by Dee Dee Brough

Years ago, one summer
I came upon a little hummingbird,
no bigger than my thumb.
As it fluttered about a flower
in search of sweet nectar,
I stood, frozen in time, and
was mesmerized by its grace.
I'm not sure why,
or what compelled me,
but I ran inside
to get my brother's BB gun.
As I raced back to my prey,
I did not think
of my actions, or
of consequences, or
regret.
But only of the thought,
"I wonder if I can get it with one shot?"
At that moment, it turned to me
as if to say,
"What a beautiful creature.
so full of life, and
love, and
compassion.
It is a wonderful day to be alive!"
But I did not listen.
Instead, intent on my mission,
I aimed, and
pulled the trigger.
And in one thoughtless moment,
a tiny lifeless body lay before me.

I am now thirty- eight years old.
And since that summer of my youth,
A thousand memories and regrets
I have.
And one that haunts me still
is a small one.

If only . . . I had listened with my heart.



Summer Sprite
by Kelly Bartlett 
age last edited: 11

See the delicate hummingbird,
As tiny as a baby's thumb.
Zooming through the flower garden,
Sipping sweet elixir from each mum.

His exquisite plumage sparkling,
In the summer's radiant sunlight.
Like wee precious diamonds,
Iridescent colors seem to ignite.

Flitting from flower to flower,
As rapid as the eye can blink.
To each blossom he will zoom,
Delicious nectar he will drink.

A diminutive flying wizard,
Darting sideways and upside down!
Hovering almost stationary,
From morning's first light to sundown.

What a wonderful acrobatic aviator,
Performing truly Amazing stunts!
To each bouquet he skillfully zips,
Imbibing the sweet juice more than once.

 

The Hippopotamus and the Hummingbird
by S. D. Rodrian

The Hummingbird deliciously
sucks nectar from th'flower 

& see him: going by
puncturally on The Hour! 

The Hummingbird is elegant
due to Th'Rapture of his Great Offense
being so irrelevant-- 

The Hippopotamus' Vast Eloquence
(making all th'difference)
he lacks The Elegance 

of Th'Hummingbird, whose timeless Crime
at its timeliest Sublime 

is but like deference
in The Springtime 

--While Hippopotamus: So fat
& so exceedingly gross
keeps no timetables & never demurs
to crush The Rose 

(not to imply that the Hummingbird
somehow is charming because he lacks
the weight to wipe out Nature's Word
with his light-weight attack) 

--I say THIS to teach you: Keep on time! 

No matter how small You mean to be
(the Hummingbird is elegant
primarily due THIS courtesy) 

while Hippopotamus is O, so
a-bo-mi-na-bly wry
because: he's either always stepping on your toes
or asking: Why!?!

 

The Hummingbird
by Steven F. White

Kiss these flowers, drink their colors,
in the garden where I'm sleeping.
They're like whirlpools, all these flowers,
their throats of gold, yours of ruby.

Give me the force, give me the light
to be the message of your wings.
Sketch above me with your long beak.
Let your design of healing fall.

Mark my body with my singing
so you'll know me when I flourish.
Your eyes are now a field of eyes
in the garden's flow of flowers.

Can I call you when I need you?
Will you help me when I'm frightened?
Drink my colors, they're like whirlpools.
Kiss this flower, my open mouth.

 

 

Sonnet to the Hummingbird
by Taimur

O little one, now spring from bough to bough,
Under your tiny feet let nothing break;
O sweet reminder of the here and now,
Let all dull hearts anew with purpose quake.
Sweet pea to stock, go nuzzling every flower,
Tease out the nectar sweet with tongue and beak;
Inspire with joy all eyes and verdant bowers,
Breathe out the scent upon love's pallid cheek.
Oft I've adored your pinions raven blue,
With rapid strokes they beat the morning air;
Your heart I know not but beneath your wing - 
Bright red and gold I once saw hidden there!
Such charm and more you do well so to hide,
With us let just your matchless song abide.

 

Hummimgbird, Oh Hummingbird
Terri Long

hummingbird, oh hummingbird
you showed me beauty without a word
so tiny, so small
hovering there as if to stand so tall
Fragile you do look.
Pretty as a picture in a book.
Spellbound I am looking at you
what a wonder you are.. 
The Epitome of strength there in mid-air.
Going about your life without a care.
Colors so beautiful ,without even a sound.
Truly.. Still.. I am spellbound. 
Your wings an illusion, peaceful, calm, and serene.
You seem slo-motion like in a dream.
So hummingbird oh hummingbird with your spellbound flight
Your strength and steadfastness,, and your might..
You in all your wonder.. come back..
keep me spellbound anytime from dawn 'til early night.

Tiny Poems for Tiny Birds
 by Larry Gates

awake at dawn
darting through strands of mist
the flower-seeker

out of heaven
still glittering
the hummingbird

two fighting hummingbirds
rise slowly through leaves
not touching

a thousand facets of metallic light
turning his head
he darkens

soul slips out of my body
and chases
the hummingbird

another hummingbird darkens
and flies off
towards the rainbow

sunlit raindrops
explode around
the hovering hummingbird

a day of dreams
the garden and the hummingbird
float on my breath

under the vast dome 
of the sky
two hummingbirds are fighting

little bird
at my face
you make me real

deep summer
the hummingbird disappears 
inside a flower

tiny hummingbird
hovering before my nose
what is your name?

a thousand nows
the busy hummingbird 
in the garden

time slows 
as the hummingbird approaches
the flower

fully open
the red flower accepts
the hummingbird

curved space
every trajectory 
ends at a flower

the dueling hummingbirds
do not see
the rainbow

too many words
I sip tea
and gaze at the hummingbird

wind and sunlight --
a floating world of hummingbirds
in the flower garden

The present moment
hovering before
a flower

a bell rings
the hummingbird selects
another flower

dawn
wordless flowers
waiting

this will save the world
a hummingbird chasing flowers
in the wind

fuschia from below
he lingers 
as long stamens touch his throat

as we garden on hands and knees 
a hummingbirds tastes
the unplanted flowers

He is Jack and I the giant
my face a massive landscape
with crevices and outcrops

nothing else matters
the hummingbird has become
the moving arrow of time

whirring wings
as time vanishes
before a blue flower

mountains and the quiet smile
of my wife
a hummingbird darts between us

The hummingbird flies off
I sense it is I that is moving
backwards and out of control

 

A Requiem for a Hummingbird
By Lee Thomas Ostlund

So tiny
This precious fragment of our Universe. 

So innocent
And eager to savor Life.
Non-judgmental. 

But forgiving of any obstacle
That might perchance
block its way. 

'Twas perhaps its first visit
To an early bloom --
And that was its fate. 

The brambles of an untended vine
Caught its fragile wings
Still shimmering in gossamer green
And poised as though
In glorious flight. 

'Twas now enmeshed
In insect webs,
Spent thorns and brambles. 

Stilled forever in its earthly ventures -- 

May the Great Spirit
Who notes every sparrow
In its fall
Be merciful to this tiny
spirit-soul. 

And welcome it to
His joyful kingdom.

 

Hummingbird
by Laerynfra 

Beware the sultry
"seeps" of the 
Blue-throated 
Hummingbird. 
His persistance
will sway you 
into dining on 
Shrimp Plant and 
Scarlet Runner Bean, 
sipping Mimosa cocktails,
and enjoying Little Cigars;
but later you'll 
find yourself dancing 
at local hangouts, 
for handouts 
of sugar-spiked
water, wondering
how he ever got 
your heart
to beat
so fast.

 

Brief Joy
by C. David Hoit


Oh joy, the hummingbirds 
found my porch 
therein to seek the nectar 
which is placed 
for their nourishment. 

Bright blue and green essence 
beating faster 
than the eye or even 
a camera shutter can see 
minuscule images of suddenness.

Their blessing is not sought 
by lesser creatures 
who sting and buzz 
but attracts only those 
for whom it was intended. 

Hummingbirds, once in a pair 
mostly alone, 
come to briefly feast 
knowing not that they provide 
the real purpose, my enjoyment.

 

Hummingbirds
Della Comer MacGillivray

Rainbow colors adrift
upon a wee glittering bird
In flight so swift
scarce a humming is heard

Into the trumpet vine
she dips in a dash 
slender bill to devour
nectar drink in a flash

Out like a space ship
jewel bright in the sun
skyward she skips
the journey not done

Away to a cup nest
of spider web and down
hidden in a jade green
beautiful gown

Guarded for a fortnight
are two pearly eggs, white
Then on a summer's day
tiny birds soar in flight

Ever darting again
as little shooting stars
off to feast on silken seed
where lilies are

 

At 94
Jennifer VanBuren

Pop started to spend more time
on the front porch than his workshop.
He watched barn cats disappear under cars
and the tractors under the overshoot,
while their kittens pounced
on unsuspecting crickets. 

“Yes we have no bananas” never got old
nor did, “You are growin’ and I am shrinkin’”

And with great excitement
he would tell us how many hummy birds
had visited the Rose of Sharon today. 

No one dared to tell him
the visitors were impostors.
Fuzzy bellied moths with a pair
of wings that hummed and hovered
before the blossoms. 

He passed believing he was leaving
his great grandchildren a world
with more hummingbirds than ever.
And kittens that caught crickets in the grass.


HUMABOUT HUMMINGBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

Home Page
.