The shift has started
As seasons change
The birds migrating
Glorious exchange
In Southern Hemispheres
They pray and hope
For bird song serenades
To help them cope
In V formations
Take to the sky
Flying by daylight
That soon turns to night
But through big cities
Distractions do hit
Distorted illusions
Disorients the knit
Turn off the light
Stars at night are plenty
Do it for the birds
One window collision’s too many.
A disturbing discovery I happened upon while researching migratory birds for a short poem I was crafting. It was going to be cute.
But I cannot do cute now that I know the avian travelers are facing huge setbacks. I will need to recover from this before I can write a cute poem about migrating birds. Give me time.
In the meantime, an invitation. Read about the fate of scores of birds here at The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/16/new-york-city-migrating-birds-deaths
On Twitter, the photographer of the great photos in the article, @MelissaBreyer says, and I quote:
“What is the word for rage and heartbreak at the same time?”
“Preventing window collisions isn’t rocket science; turn off lights at night, make windows on lower floors bird-friendly.”
~ Melissa Breyer, Twitter link: https://twitter.com/melissabreyer?s=21
Or click link to see one photo/tweet: https://twitter.com/melissabreyer/status/1437823618055122947?s=21
Thanks for reading.
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Wow, that’s something we don’t think about a lot. Hard-hitting! I guess we all can do some favour for the birds. Lovely poem! 👌
So pleased you read. True. We don’t know this is happening. But when we know better we can do better. Let’s make others aware. Can’t imagine how much those dead birds will be missed somewhere. So very sad.
Thanks for interacting with my post. I’ll come see you shortly. Thanks. Be well.
That’s terrible. I had no idea that this is a regular occurrence because people turn on the lights at night. Thank you, Selma for raising the awareness of this issue both through your poem and the text below it. Lovely poem!
Terrible indeed. We need to raise awareness. Breaks my heart this is a yearly thing.
Thanks for interacting, Smitha. Be well.
wow! I had no clue about this!
🙁
David
I didn’t either. But now that I know I’m sure we’ll all agree it’s something to make others aware of. Thanks for commenting, David. I appreciate the support you give me. Be well. 😘
The havoc we wreak with our selfish attitude! Thanks Selma, for throwing light on this issue.
Those little lives will be sorely missed. I am sure. The people down south will be deprived of their loveliness. And song. A quiet summer without birdsong. Imagine that.
Thanks for reading and commenting. You rock.
Ciao!
I enjoyed the read.
I came aware of this danger just recently myself and wrote a wee poem also to raise awareness.
Sadly, Skyscraper Apartment lights can disorientate migrating birds, many ending up smashing against the glass.
A simple caring gesture by drawing/ lowering curtains or switching off lights can save their lives.
These birds face already enough perils during their journey :pollution, disease , erratic weather.
It’s migration time , let’s help these critters arrive safely at their destination by spreading the news/ warning others.
Hi, Tempeste. Lead me to your poem. I’d really love to read it. Where?
These little creatures brave it— long distance to bring songs to others. And the perils they face are multiplied now. Are birds gonna end up like the Dodos 🦤? I sure hope not.
And just imagine summers without birds! Unacceptable reality.
Thanks for interacting. Thanks for what you doing too.
Yes, please: “let’s help these critters arrive safely at their destination by spreading the news/ warning others.”
Let’s.
Thanks for your lovely comment. xo
Ciao !
Well that it be noted I’m no poet 😂 but I don’t mind sharing …where can I send the link ?
By the way , I found you thanks to Markie!
I thought I could find you here in the Reader. Your website link, maybe?
Thanks, Tempeste. 😉 💕
Markie is a gem. I just purchased her printed book on Amazon. Lovely. A real treasure. Will review in turn.
Be well. I wish you miracles.
Sorry , I don’t know what ” Reader” is / means and I don’t have a website.
Yes Markie is very sweet and I enjoy her poetry ☺️
I have her e:mail ..if you want I can ask her to forward it to you?
Ciao!
The Reader: sorry. No worries.
Markie is tops in my book. Yes. I’ll ask her to do that. Thanks. You rock. Be well, T. I wish you miracles.
Hey, Tempeste. Are you there? How are you, my sweet one? Hey, guess what? Markie did come through for us. What a great moderator, Markie is. I just love her.
And that poem of yours: gosh, how precious. Thanks for trusting me with your words. I’m over the moon happy you shared. Totally!
Be well, dear Tempeste. You rock. Stay sweet. I wish you miracles. xo
Ciao ! Sorry for the late reply Selma.
Yes Markie is one you can count on!
Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Take care! 🍀
You too, Tempeste. Take great care of yourself. You’re always welcome here. Always. I wish you miracles.
I did not know this was happening, Selma…I learned recently that wind turbines also kill a lot of birds. Sad!
I didn’t know either. And this sad event overwhelms. Boggles the mind. To imagine summers without bird— what sadness.
Yes, turbines too, I guess.
Are you on TheTwitter? Do yourself a favor, Lynn watch the video Melissa published on Twitter. So many dead birds in one morning.
The fotos too. Gosh. I cried when I saw those.
Let’s bring awareness to others. Let’s take out our pens and do what we can to spread awareness.
Thanks for interacting with my post. I appreciate you sincerely. Be well. I wish you miracles.
I’m not on Twitter but I will try to learn more…it’s hard to find words for appropriate response to the carnage 🙁
So true. Be well. Good night from me. Have a fantabulous day today, Lynn.
This is beautiful Selma! Didn’t know what they really go through before ❤
Thanks foe reading, Daphny. Be well. Good night 😴
You’re most welcome 😊 Goodnight 😴
Some parking lots have all the lights facing down… some even do dim at night. But the cities that never sleep it is hard for birds.
So much land is being uprooted for homes that few can afford. In just the 30 years I’ve been in my area (while there have been strides in saving farmland) too many farm fields have sprouted shopping, condos, and houses. I fear that the little areas that are preserved for birds and deer and other wildlife is just not enough…. 🙁
I think that as long as we believe that we humans are at the top of this evolutionary game (AS IF), there will never be enough areas for wild life.
Who do we think we are?
We better learn and change our ways. Soon.
Remember ‘Hurl me to the moon?’ How You helped me get the tone right with that one in the comments? TYSVM.
The moon — we are not worthy of being hurled there.
Especially when all we think about is to conquer. Fools that we are.
THERE IS NO PLAN-B!!
Hey, Jules. Do I say too much? Forgive. But you always make me delve deeper.
I am grateful to you every time. Please don’t stop. Thanks so much.
I recently watched a talk by Neil DeGrasse Tyson… about UFO’s… and basically his thinking is along with mine – if they were smart they wouldn’t bother with earth. Of course he said it while putting science and humor into it.
I guess that’s one of the reasons I like Sci fi so much. The possibilities. The universe is so vast that we cannot even guess at what else may be out there.
Human nature evolves just like everything else – from the hunter and gathers who fought for the best beast and grounds. Humans too will continue to ‘fight’ for what they believe their differences to be better than the next person.
Too much news is focused on negativity. Which is why I try to look at the good news stories. Simple acts of kindness can also grow. One can only hope that the scales will tip for a good future.
Climate change is cyclical. It will happen with or without help from humans. Preparation is key. And we have to believe humanity will prevail. There is too much creative art that would be lost otherwise 🙂
Always say what needs to be said. There is that chance someone important reads or (hears) and learns. 😀
Beautiful poem Selma, but also something I’ve learned ☹❤
Hi. Bernie. So glad you read. So glad you also learned something new.
I always appreciate your comments.
I bless you. Stay sweet.
Thanks for raising awareness about this! I love the birds and bird watching
Thanks. So glad you enjoyed that. Birds, poor little birds. And the people waiting for them in the south too. We al lose big time.
Be well. Thanks for reading and commenting.
light pollution is terrible, even for humans. great post
xoxo 💕
A great poem Selma! I have birds that hit my windows quite frequently. The doves especially, seem to hit hard leaving their wing and head pattern smudged on the window pane. So far they all have survived!
Dwight