CHORUS OF A WINTER
DAWN
This poem
in "free" form plays with a contrast between iambic lines
(unstressed, stressed- e.g. of long
) and trochaic ones (stressed, unstressed- e.g. cry-ing
). The last verse is an example of a literal image that can also be
read as metaphorical.
The Pied
Currawong is a large, mostly black bird, with a bright yellow eye.
Small patches of white are confined to the under tail, the tips and
bases of the tail feathers and a small patch towards the tip of each
wing (visible in flight). The bill is large and black and the legs
are dark grey-black. Both sexes are similar, although the female may
sometimes be greyer on the underparts. Young Pied Currawongs are
duller and browner than the adults.
From Birds in Backyards http://www.birdsinbackyards.net
Currawong
is pronounced like curry but instead of y=ee sound replace with
another short ah sound and wong rhymes with song.
CHORUS OF A WINTER DAWN
Black-coated like
Priests of the
progress of the light,
Celebrants of day's
nativity,
Currawongs
Have perched among
The susurrant, dark
leaves
Of long-enduring,
eucalyptus trees
To chorus dawning
clarity;
Dark-silhouetted on
the yellow-white,
Dawn-bright
Vastness.
Alighting from their
windy way,
They take their
swaying stand,
Crying for increase
of day
In this ancient
land.
