Bird Time, Baskett Slough

by Lex Runciman

Photo by Lex Runcimain

Bird Time, Baskett Slough

Under winter geese-talk descending,
we’re listening to, listening for
small staccato, ratchet and chatter, 
pure notes, four notes, lilt and lull, 
repeating – not exactly call 
and answer, lilt and trill, pure notes, 
four notes, repeating, not exactly. 
And later we’ll want to recall them 
exactly, and we won’t.

Lex

Lex Runciman has published seven collections of poems, including The Admirations, which won the Oregon Book Award, and, most recently, Unlooked For from Salmon Poetry, Ireland.  His work has appeared in several anthologies, including From Here We Speak, Portland Lights, Alive at the Center, and the Cascadia Field Guide.