On a Feathered Drum

Fingers tight ’round a teacup, she stares out the window
wondering what people are saying. What they are thinking.

The dappled mare watches him arrive and disappear down
the wooded trail. Ruffed grouse beats on a feathered drum.

Crows chase a hawk over the trees. Standing on a rock
in a narrow stream – he imagines being gone.

…

Author: chrisbkm

Chris Morrison was born on the north shore of Lake Superior and currently lives within moments of the Atlantic in Nova Scotia, Canada.

14 thoughts on “On a Feathered Drum”

  3. Another beautiful, haunting poem. I especially like, “Standing on a rock
    in a narrow stream – the man imagines being gone.”

    And I’ll add that someone who grew up in the US, but lives on the border, I really miss those NFB videos.

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    1. Thanks Bob!
      That’s so cool that you’re familiar with the videos! I loved Hinterland Who’s Who commercials growing up. The video, voice and music bring me right back to my childhood. At the end you could always write for more information – and I always did. I have no idea why or how it entered my mind to go looking for the add-on to the poem.

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      1. I remember in elementary school, we all went down to the auditorium to watch a movie. It was Paddle to the Sea. I can’t explain why, but that NFB film was transformative for me as a kid. Like pure magic. And I’ve shown it to my kids. I’m glad you brought up the music to the videos (I just watched a bunch on youtube), but there was something sad and magical about the music. To me at least. I agree, really brings me back to childhood.

        I hope you’re doing okay with the wildfires. Are they affecting you?

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      2. Great story/connection and movie. Love it! Can hardly wait to play it for the grandkids. My journey was in ways similar to Paddle’s. I was born and raised in northern Ontario (Thunder Bay), very close to Nipigon and spent plenty of time there camping and fishing. And I ended up on the east coast.
        It’s true about the sad or melancholic nature of the Hinterland videos. Magical and nostalgic for sure too. They were such a major part of my childhood.
        We’re lucky with the wildfires so far. Very nervous though because of the damage Hurricane Fiona did to our forests on the north shore. Thousands of acres are flattened and will be incredibly volatile. Thanks for asking Bob.

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  7. Hey Brendan! Thanks for the comment and also for reaching out about Desperate Poets. I’ll be back for sure – hopefully sooner than later. I was really hoping to respond to Paul’s, Wrestling Angels prompt, started working on a piece but just didn’t manage to pull off anything worthwhile. I’m missing writing – the community too. I’m guessing your nudge may help kick-start the ol’ muse.

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