In my neighborhood, I walk in the sensory experience known as spring, and am presented with a visual and aural symphony. This time of year is especially a veritable feast of things to observe, delight in, and photograph.
This year, I’ve walked with a companion, for my steps and thoughts have been further inspired by the work of watercolor artist E.M. Corsa, of North Carolina, and her fresh enthusiasm for all she sees in the natural world.
Mockingbirds have always been a favorite of mine and Corsa makes this one come alive on the page! Her watercolors appear as though she breathes every brush stroke. Frequently she paints on old (often Victorian) book pages, suiting her subject to the poem or title or theme therein. This time, a mocker has sung to her where she lives in North Carolina, as they do to me in southern California, and indeed to many of us all over the country.
Corsa’s beautiful mocker moves me to share three of my poems, along with details of her work and a couple of photos. I celebrate her art—and these energetic birds who fill the air with their notes.
Stop motion
I’m walking the dog,
who ambles
then sets to sniffing
amongst the leaves.
In shaded light
in a branching tree —
— it’s as if I’ve turned a page
and a voice says,
here is a mockingbird.
Bright black dots
like hematite
examine me.
I give back
gaze for gaze.
The dog
keeps on
reading the ground.
My eyes stroke
the feathered breast
(color: mellow pearl)
that my fingers long to touch.
Beak closed,
not mocking,
the bird regards me,
hops closer.
Signals read
dog moves ahead.
The mockingbird
settles wings and feathers,
flies away.
The dog and I walk on.
Mockingbird
on the mailbox
shrub by the door
in the hedge
thread in beak
bird and tail
build a nest
down to
business
no time for talk
flip tail
take wing
next stop
E.M. Corsa’s art on the package in which I received the watercolor, a lovely bonus!
In time of sleep
a mockingbird sings
its voice gold embroidery
on a jet black cloak
wrapped around me.
In defiance of night
vivid day persists,
as the bird song splashes notes,
colors, and sparks
into vibrant dark!
I invite you see more of Corsa’s beautiful work! Here is some information.
E.M. Corsa is happiest outdoors, filling sketchbooks with images of the creatures and plants she has come to know to use as reference material for her finished work. These sketches are her love letters from nature. Join her here: facebook.com/emcorsa etsy.com/shop/EMCorsaStudio
Thank you Sally. I am honored to have my work appear alongside your poetry. You write in the same way that I paint; with your whole heart.
Especially Beautiful knowing you personally!!!
Tina, Thank you so much — I’m sure you and I heard some of the same birds, too!
What a serendipity friendship between you two, your art connecting over the wings and songs of these birds!
It’s a lovely long-distance association, as we’ve never met — and of course i hope we sometime do. For now, this is one of the times I’m thankful for Facebook as I regularly see Elizabeth’s lovely work there, though my first exposure came through an article on her in “Victoria.”
Wow, that’s nice poetry! And especially combined with the drawings. I love listening to all the bird calls around me as I walk, and even at other times. This time of year, all around us in this neighborhood, there are dark eyed juncos calling their territorial songs. Years ago, these birds were not here. Then maybe 15 years ago, I heard them up at UCSD, and maybe 8 years ago they came to the forest on our church property. And now I see them in my yard. The pine forest (and my native CA plantings) are supporting the changes the birds are making to adapt to a new environment. Thanks for your poetic imagery that reflects joyful experiences.
Janet, thank you very much.
I’m curious, is there a reason known why the juncos have come into this territory? Ironically, I don’t hear the mocking birds as often as I used to – these poems are a few years old. Thank you for your comment — Sally