Avian and human grief …a cinquain poem

Avian and human grief …a cinquain poem

Owl grieves…

A loss of mate;

We mourn, anticipate

A certain fate … Bereavement is

To come.

https://chirpforbirds.com/bird-brain/do-birds-have-feel ings/

“There are many instances of birds expressing grief and even engaging in mourning rituals, showing that sadness isn’t just a human state.

It’s interesting to note that birds exhibit many of the grieving behaviors we do: their posture droops, they appear listless, and often cry real tears. Certain birds—jay birds, pigeons, and ospreys—will remain near where their baby died for long periods of time. Others—magpies and crows—hold “funerals” for their dead, walking in circles together around the fallen bird for several minutes. Often, when a bird loses its mate, it will also refuse to eat or pluck at its feathers.

One of the most pronounced expressions of bird grief comes from Barn Owls, known to stick with their mates for life. When one mate dies, the remaining owl will often starve itself to death, causing some to wonder if it dies of a broken heart.”

As my wife and I age, we contemplate our imminent departure from this veil of tears and wonder how we will be able to bear the loss of the other, whichever one of us is left standing.

Does the barn owl too anticipate this cruel fate?

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cinquain-poetry-guide

First line: The first line of an American cinquain has two syllables and one stressed syllable.
Second line: The second line of an American cinquain has four syllables and two stresses.
Third line: The third line of an American cinquain has six syllables and three stresses.
Fourth line: The fourth line of an American cinquain has eight syllables and four stresses.
Fifth line: The last line of an American cinquain has two syllables and one stress.

The most famous examples of cinquain poetry come from the American poet Adelaide Crapsey. Twenty-eight cinquains appeared in her posthumous 1915 anthology Verse.

https://robertmcbrydeauthor.com/

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