Adventus, by Fliss
Word-Bird
​​​​​
The day is dull. The trees around the lake
are almost bare and shiver in the mist.
The birds are scarce. A single mallard drake
just paddles past, not looking for a tryst.
The dwindling yellow willows whisper, though,
as if they have a secret. Will they tell?
Their low trails stir – we wonder what they know –
and then the water ripples, starts to swell.
A little arch of branches shows and spreads,
reveals a visitor. A mandarin!
Resplendently attired in ruby reds
and sapphires, ginger-golds, and dazzling grin!
The sun bursts out and fanfares fill the air,
a symphony of calls from moorhens, coots
and swans. George Swan approaches, with his glare;
the duck departs, towards the willow roots.
​​​​​​
​​- - -
First published in Snakeskin, December 2024
- - -
Word-Bird’s notes: “As this issue of Well Met is part-celebration of the poetry journal Snakeskin, A. D. Min and I felt it apt to feature another re-publication of a Snakeskin poem.
“The said Fliss and I live near Pittville Park, UK, and she is a member of the Facebook group Pittville Swans & Friends. Every day group members post delightful photographs of the local wildlife! One morning in late November last year, Fliss learned that a mandarin duck had been spotted. We had already planned an afternoon trip to the park, and we were all particularly glad to set off on this occasion.
​
“Happily, we spotted the mandarin duck for ourselves, as the poem describes. It was a rather short sighting, due to the presence on the scene of George Swan, who is exceptionally territorial! But it was a magical moment, the vibrant appearance of the duck heralding the beginning of the festive season.”
- - -
Fliss: Well, thank you, Word-Bird and A. D. Min!
​
W.-B.: You are welcome! We very much enjoyed revisiting this poem. And it has been another fine issue; A. D. and I are pleased to have assisted with it.
​
Fliss: Yes, indeed; before we break for tea, let‘s take a moment to thank all our poets again, and all our readers. We appreciate your ongoing interest in Well Met! The tiny team is already looking forward to putting together the first issue of the brand new year. Until then, we wish everyone many magical mandarin moments over the festive period!
​
- - -
Word-Bird has been Colombine Companion to FT since 2011, after FT sustained a life-changing injury in hospital. This affected her right knee and somewhat impacted her brain too. Over the years, W.-B. has become increasingly well known in poetry circles and is happy to be on pleasant terms with a number of excellent poets.
​
- - -​
Pic credit:
’Mandarin duck’, by Dave Grant of Pittville Swans & Friends
