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Image by Lars Nissen from Pixabay

Mooching Off Each Other’s Energy #TankaTuesday #specificform: 4-11

into the night
the song unspools
on silent wings
the geese pass by
the leader flies
steers them onward
they mooch on air
impressive feat
moon’s slim crescent
lights them the way
into the night

© 2022 selmamartin.com 

Written for Word Craft Poetry TankaTuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 284, 8/9/22,
#SpecificForm: 4-11 created by Gwen Plano. Find more about the 4-11 form and all the
other forms created by the group HERE. Thanks, Gwen, for this lovely form I enjoyed
putting together today.

It’s only August, but already I’m dreaming of migrating birds. Wishing them a safe
return or visits to warm climes. And did you know this about their V formation? Perhaps
we, too, could learn how our energy is an asset because, like the birds, it’s not rocket science. And we, homo sapiens, are amazing too.

This mooching off each other’s airflow is more complicated and impressive than anyone imagined: national geographic on amazing trick birds flying in V formation use.

Sunset flock flying into the night: Image by Lars Nissen from Pixabay 
Thanks for reading, dear summering partners.
And as always, I wish you miracles.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 52 Comments

  1. kittysverses

    Picturesque.
    “the song unspools
    on silent wings”
    Brilliant descriptions. Thoroughly enjoyed your poem, Selma. 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      Im, so happy you enjoyed the description, Kitty. So cool of you to say so. Thanks.

    1. Selma Martin

      I do as well. They know more than we do, but they’ve no idea how much we admire them. Thanks for visiting and supporting me this way, Annette. I appreciate you tons. Stay blessed.

  2. harmonykentonline

    Beautiful picture and poem, Selma! I always love to watch the geese in flight. Yes, we humans could learn a lot! 💕🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      I looked diligently for just such a photo. So happy to have found it to show sundown. It’s the summer hour I like the best… Thanks for supporting my efforts here, lovely Harmony. Stay sweet. Blessings.

      1. Sadje

        You’re welcome my friend

  3. balroop2013

    Wow! What a fabulous picture and your words complement it. Superb poetry Selma.

    1. Selma Martin

      Superb, you say… and I melt. Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it. xoxo

  4. Daphny Aqua

    That stunning pictures complement your words so perfectly dear Selma. ❤️

  5. yvettemcalleiro

    That was beautiful, Selma! I felt like I was watching them pass by. 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      Yvette, you helped to get me here. I’m grateful to you for this too. Nice form from Gwen. Loved it, thanks. Stay sweet

  6. JoAnna

    I’ve read about that V formation. Fascinating stuff! I enjoyed reading your poem out loud. Gorgeous photo!

    1. Selma Martin

      That V formation is genius. We could learn so much from this. Thanks for reading my words out loud. Now the wind will carry them to places I never dreamed of. Thanks so much. xoxo

      1. JoAnna

        <3 I love that the wind is carrying your words. Happy to be part of that. xoxo

  7. Ingrid

    Delightful poem Selma! May we all share positive energy with those around us 😊

    1. Selma Martin

      Precisely! That’s what it’s all about. And I’m glad you read into that. This energy we emit blesses or curses those around us. May we always do our share of lifting another person to their full potential. So happy you read this one. Thanks.

  8. willowdot21

    This is wonderful Selma you have caught the essence of the moment 💜

    1. Selma Martin

      Willow, dear one. thanks so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate you tons. Stay sweet.

      1. willowdot21

        It was a pleasure Sema your verse really lifted me , stay sweet too 💜

  9. Ellie Thompson

    Beautiful poem, Selma. I sometimes see the geese flying in a V formation up in the sky over here. Not often, but occasionally. They, like the seagulls (haven’t yet thought of a piece of writing about them as was your challenge) are stunning to watch up so high. The picture you have chosen compliments your poem perfectly. Really enjoyed this post. Keep well Xxx 💟

    1. Selma Martin

      I enjoy watching them soaring above.
      Oh, about that challenge, my sweet, don’t trouble yourself: it was just a thought. No need to feel pressured. Perhaps it’s not the one you needed. Write whatever you like my sweet. Whatever will do. Stay sweet. Glad you enjoyed reading this one. Blessings.

  10. Kerfe

    Birds are so beautiful…

    1. Selma Martin

      I know you speak the truth here. They are beautiful and you have a good way of showing me this with your art. Thanks so much. Stay as you are, and enjoy what’s left of summer. Blessing you.

  11. Ruth

    The V shape flying is an amazing feat. Mother nature is awesome!

    1. Selma Martin

      That she is. Awesome beyond measure. Thanks Ruth. And thanks for your response to THAT letter. Olly Olly Oxen Free! I understand totally. Stay sweet.

  12. Tricia Sankey

    The song unspools with style under your pen! Enjoyed this!

    1. Selma Martin

      Aww, You. Sweetness! Thanks. Keeping the positive vibes coming your way… You will win this!

      1. Tricia Sankey

        I appreciate your good vibes! ♥️🙏♥️ 🤞🤞🤞

    1. Selma Martin

      Glad you do, Cheryl. Thanks for reading/commenting.

  13. D.L. Finn, Author

    This was so peaceful 🙂 I can’t wait to see the geese go south!

    1. Selma Martin

      I do too, D.L. Marks a perfect way to turn the page to the next season.
      Happy summering. XoXo

  14. Anonymous

    Selma, I loved the phrase “mooching on air.” I had to look it up. This is a lovely capture of the V formation geese use to fly south. I love this.

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks so much for the comment.
      Anonymous. Whoever you are. Thanks. Blessings.

  15. margaret21

    This is such a telling poem for me, as skeins of geese flying overhead are the motif of our early mornings and evenings just now.

    1. Selma Martin

      I just love it how this one blends so well with a current event/motif of someone somewhere in the world. Gosh. It’s amazing. Glad it was you. Thanks for reading and responding, Margaret. Blessings. I wish you miracles. XoXo

  16. ben Alexander

    I never thought of it as mooching before – I love that! Beautiful write, Selma! <3

    -David

  17. Gwen M. Plano

    Selma, this is lovely. I often watch birds take flight. At our new location (high desert), I don’t see geese flying, but I so remember their beautiful flights from when I lived by East.❤️

  18. Anonymous

    I do enjoy watching V’s of geese in spring and autumn 🙂

  19. Anonymous

    That anonymous comment above was from me, Jules. Not sure why it didn’t register as ‘Me’. 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      I see these anonymous comments often now. I’m sure they’ll straighten things out in no time, Jules.
      Thanks for letting me know it’s you. Stay as cool as can be. Blessings.

  20. Belladonna

    The kind of mooching I like! Beautiful poem.

  21. rajkkhoja

    “moon’s slim crescent
    lights them the way
    into the night”!
    lovely moonrise & flying birds picture & love poem.

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