I Look for Feathers
By Alice Harrison
When I am depressed,
I look for feathers.
Lapwing, Shoveler duck, Wigeon and Oystercatcher,
I am on the bank aware of the water’s reaching hands
quietly trying to catch me off guard
as I write what I observe:
feather one and feather two found in a field,
trodden by wellie boot.
I ramble on further next to the lake
trying to avoid bird feet indents
that remind me of the ancient Greek alphabet.
I wonder what they were trying to write?
I pass the ducks and a Cormorant,
their feathers adrift on the water's surface.
The swan stoops her neck to reach the water insects,
her beak motoring in quick snaps.
I feel calm.
I look for trees to hide under,
to get to a stable water edge to then watch and ponder.
I peer into the preserved stone pools of still water,
Water Boatman and Minnow silently swim in the shade,
I have been drawing in my mind wildlife of the country,
dreaming about them at night,
Perch, Roach, Bream, and Pike.
The Magpie Moth with her warrior paint,
The Shieldbug and Weevil with the beautiful face.
I start to walk back, my muscles relaxed,
I breathe a bit better,
as I find more words,
about another feather.
Alice Harrison
Alice enjoys storytelling through poetry. She writes poetry about the natural world and mental health. She is particularly inspired by the wildlife of The Fens and Wales. She has performed at many poetry events over the years. Her poems have featured on BBC Upload (Radio Cambridgeshire), as well as in Nuthatch Poetry Press Magazine, Spelt Magazine, Cambridge Poetry Magazine, Forge Zine and Queens College Cambridge: The Dial Magazine. She will be featured in an anthology by Nuthatch Poetry Press in Summer this year. Alice encourages everyone to try writing and being creative. She hopes her work will connect with others.
Photo credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen
Apricot Press 