by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Ospreys, Two Poems

Osprey Hunting. Photo by Matthew Schwartz from Unsplash

Osprey, Death Angel

Osprey,

shrill death angel,

a sinister shadow

flying over fish in canals.

Is there premonition of death?

Does fear precede struggle,

death-flight to the

osprey’s nest?

Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia

Ospreys, Loving Parents

Ospreys,

shrill birds of prey,

build nests in high places.

Ospreys fish to feed hungry chicks.

Powerful wings carry them home,

fish grasped in strong talons.

Caring for chicks,

ospreys fish.

Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia

Osprey Bringing Fish to Nest. Photo by Richard Lee from Unsplash

57 Comments

    1. Thank you, Angela, for your kind comment. ❤ Glad you enjoyed the post! I wish I had taken the photo with the talons and the one with the fish too. I have immense admiration for wildlife photographers. I had my camera with me yesterday when I saw an osprey flying over the canal, but no chance for a shot.

      How are you doing? I hope all is well with you.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the poems, Laura. ❤ Yes, I was comparing two perspectives on the osprey. I am glad that came across. I debated about including this post in the "Perspectives." category as well as "Animals."

      I am looking forward to hearing the recording of your recent arrangement. I am a fan of traditional Irish music. All the best! 🙂

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  5. For sure they are formidable predators and magnificent birds. I was lucky enough to see them in the wild as there was a visiting pair in the Lake District which would come every summer. A beautiful nature poem Cheryl ❤️ wishing you a great week ahead 😊

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    1. Michelle, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment! ❤ So glad you like the poems. Were you river rafting on the Rogue River?. About 15 years ago, I went river rafting with my sister and children in Idaho and with my children in Pennsylvania…the easy rides, but it was something I had always wanted to do. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

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      1. You are welcome, Cheryl. We were in a boat, but I would love to go back and raft it. We also saw a bald eagle swimming (it had just caught a fish) and sadly, a deceased bald eagle in the water. Heartbreaking. 😢 Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Thank you, Eugenia! I’m happy you enjoyed the poem. On my walk a couple of days ago I saw an osprey flying along one of the canals in my neighborhood that has some sizeable fish. There are many wooded lots there too. I’ll look around for a nest. 🙂 Have a great day!

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  13. I enjoyed reading both the poems Cheryl, the two diverse personalities of the same bird, the merciless talons which hold the struggling prey in a grip of death also belongs to a loving heart beating for the helpless chicks in the nest.
    You have such varied and interesting wildlife around you. I haven’t seen ospreys but the pictures looks very impressive.

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    1. Thank you so much, Deb, for your kind and thoughtful comment. ❤ It means a lot to me that you like the poems. I wrote the poems after seeing an osprey flying over a canal a couple of days ago. There are many good-sized fish in the canal and many wooded lots all around, an osprey paradise! I will look out for a nest nearby. 🙂
      All the best!

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  17. Lovely poem Cheryl, it’s profound to note the both beautiful and cruel nature of wild animals. Definitely an interesting part of planet earth to point the torch of consciousness. Oh that we could all fill our minds with such lovely thoughts. Best wishes:)

    -Christo

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  19. Great example of how there are at least two sides of every story. Humans can be seen as predators from many perspectives . I wonder what you would think about making this one poem. The ? juxtaposition ? would be interesting and possibly more powerful?

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    1. Thank you so much, JoAnna, for your thoughtful response. That is an interesting suggestion. I always try to write about people from an empathetic perspective, so that could be a real challenge for me. it is certainly true that there are people whose actions are abhorrent. I think my poem, “The Benefit of the Doubt” comes close to showing opposite perspectives of people. https://wordpress.com/post/gulfcoastpoet.com/4663
      Have a great day!

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  22. Yesterday I watched a movie in which there was a scene where so smoothly the Osprey glides and that perfect moment it catches the fish. It marvels me how sharp these creatures are.
    I loved the imagery in both. Powerful parent making its kids strong to face the world like she did.

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    1. Thank you, Hamish, for your kind remarks. Glad you enjoyed the poem. Your comment is interesting. The poems are octaves, 8 lines with a syllable count of 2/4/6/8/8/6/4/3. I agree with your observation about building suspense. I also like the form for its shape and its rhythm. Have a great day! ❤

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