Poetry Friday–National Poetry Month & Whooping Cranes

Happy Poetry Friday

&

National Poetry Month!

For National Poetry Month I’m continuing to work on a bird poetry book I started recently, and will share some of these poems. I’m hoping to share some art along with some of the poems, but if not then pics of the birds. For more info and events on National Poetry Month stop by the Academy of National Poets. Later in the month, in celebration of Earth Day, on Friday April 22nd, I will be sharing a book review on David Elliott’s inviting poetry picture book that’s coming out this month called At the Pond.
In addition you’ll want to stop in on Jama Rattigan’s blog Jama’s Alphabet Soup where she’s graciously gathered the kidlitosphere and more poetry blog posts all in one spot for your partaking.

Here’s my bird poem on…

AN AMAZING BIRD-MAN TALE…

Young George Archibald at eight years old
heard these fateful murmurings,
“Help they’ve found us!”
“They’re going to shoot us
and put us in a museum collection.”
These few words forever changed his life… 

With throbbing heart,
from this radio dramatization,
he discovered his path in life—
He had to help save cranes,
specifically the Whooping cranes.

Years later…

Archibald and Tex– a female whooper meet.
Tex blatantly turns her beak up and
interest off of all male whoopers.
Why? Her early life began solely among humans,
leaving her no inkling at all towards male whoopers.

The two rendezvous at the
International Crane Foundation,
which Archibald found with his friend Ron Sauey.
Archibald’s plan is simple:
I’ll dance with Tex, and build a bond with her.
We’ll collect Tex’s vital “genetic material” to
repopulate the dearly endangered Whooping cranes.

So began there dance together, Man and Whooper
which proved fruitful from their first meeting,
for while with Tex,
Archibald became a bird.

Seasons passed without a new offspring…
Though Tex became enraptured with Archibald,
and could distinguish him even within a crowd—
And… Tex only danced with him.

After six years together a miracle happened…
An egg appears
an offspring survives,
Voilà– Newly hatched Gee Whiz thrives!

Tex and the news of her
offspring Gee Whiz made headlines!
It spread far and wide,
with an offer for Archibald to appear
on the Johnny Carson show!

Archibald accepted,
His thoughts were only of Tex,
and how more exposure would help cranes.
As they bid farewell, Tex bid adieu
with a small goodbye dance.

On the eve of the show
Archibald received some tragic news,
an accident occurred—
Raccoons found there way into Tex’s quarters,
Gee Whiz was okay, but
they killed Tex­–

The show went on.
The public while awe-inspired by
Archibald’s story, reacted with shock
to the news of Tex’s death– But
Tex’s offspring, Gee Whiz lived on,
and fathered over 100 whoopers.

©  2022 Michelle Kogan
draft

Read more about, and see images of Tex and George Archibald here.

The International Crane Foundation has lots of info on Whooping Cranes and other cranes too. As of today there are 802 Whooping Cranes in the world, which is a huge jump from the 1930’s when there were only 30. While their population is growing they still need lots of our love.

Here’s a link to the International Crane Foundation

Heidi Mordhorst at her blog My Juicy Little Universe is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks! Heidi’s Kicking off National Poetry Month by sharing a cornucopia of Poetry blog happenings to partake in, so stop on by and fill yourself with many poetry opportunities this month!

Prayers
for
Ukraine
its
people
fighting
for
their
home
their
democracy
our
democracy
world’s
democracy
our
right
to
exist
…

© Michelle Kogan