Oscar

5 Comments

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  • Life

    Oscar

    other people
    seem to find
    eagles hawks owls
    noble birds of prey
    birds of character and romance
    who have broken wings
    that they fix
    and nurture
    these great birds once again fly
    making a last low pass over
    those who nursed them back to flying status
    before majestically soaring away to freedom

    I found a pigeon
    with a broken wing
    a pellet embedded in the leading edge
    of his right wing
    rendering it not very aerodynamic
    the wing droops
    the vet says this pigeon will never fly
    again
    the vets says what with the dog and cats
    hanging around
    she wonders why the pigeon didn’t die from
    heart attack
    so this pigeon
    whom I named Oscar
    now lives in my dog’s kennel
    a kennel with a roof
    since my dog has taken over our house
    she doesn’t need the kennel
    in fact will have nothing to do with it
    as if it is beneath her
    it makes a good pigeon sanctuary
    I feed Oscar everyday
    make sure his water is fresh
    and clean
    he hides in the doghouse
    inside the kennel
    I get down on my knees
    peer into the dimness of the doghouse
    talk soothing to him
    Oscar reacts as if I am
    a pigeon’s worst nightmare
    but
    I reach in
    put my hands gently around him
    bring him out and
    he coos
    when I see Oscar walking around in the kennel
    dragging is broken wing
    maintaining a major attitude
    I feel pretty good
    Oscar should be content
    a pigeon in the wild
    with a broken wing doesn’t last long
    Oscar is safe
    safe from my three cats
    one of which
    likes to follow me into the kennel
    to harass Oscar
    Oscar should thank my dog
    Maggie, a 70 pound Lab
    Maggie is the one who found Oscar
    and gently dropped him at my feet
    Oscar’s lucky that Mr. Kitty
    the cat
    that follows me into the kennel
    didn’t find him first
    the instinct of life and love
    is strong in Maggie
    the instinct of
    attack
    is strong in Mr. Kitty
    Oscar is now one fat cat pigeon
    with a broken wing
    ruling the roost
    But
    someday Oscar will lumber down that
    pigeon runway
    flapping that crooked wing
    head held high
    maintaining that pissy attitude
    and just before Mr. Kitty
    grabs onto his tail
    Oscar lifts off
    The Big ‘O’ makes a last low pass
    over the kennel
    over me
    over Maggie and Mr. Kitty
    he gives Mr. Kitty the finger
    and soars majestically
    into the cool evening air

    post script
    Oscar did heal enough to fly
    his right wing drooped
    but he flew
    I went in the kennel one day
    left the door open
    Oscar lumbered out
    took to the air
    made a few passes and came back
    then he flew out
    landed on the roof
    from there Oscar launched himself
    sagged a little
    gained altitude
    and flew away for good
    I miss Oscar

     

     

     

     

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    Teardrops commented on Oscar

    02-17-2011

    I reme ber all the animals i drug home for my dad to help me patch up this is a wonderful story i think my guess you were really a gentle person was right great poem My friend Marie

    Whiskers commented on Oscar

    02-17-2011

    Train my friend, you've done it again with a very interesting write that jogs the memory of critters I myself over the years have salvaged from the clutches of sure death. Ya know, I never took any courses in poetry or literature for that matter and erroniously for years only recognised rhyming lines as poetry but finally came to my senses and realized there are many different types to be included. The point of this rabbit trail is to say that your storytelling style of poetry is sheer beauty and the best I've ever read. Very happy to have made your acquaintance here my friend, Whiskers.

    train64

    02/17/2011

    W: I wouldn't trade what you said for a million bucks!. That makes it all worthwhile.. Thank you very much.... train

    shallenemcgrath commented on Oscar

    02-17-2011

    I like that you have a way with animals. And Maggie too. For a tough guy you are pretty tender. I really like that about you.

    train64

    02/17/2011

    Don't forget to throw in..not very bright....H

    train64

    02/17/2011

    That is Oscar on the roof. His wings do not fold symmetrically, the right one..droops..He launched himself from the roof and was never seen again..L

    shallenemcgrath

    02/17/2011

    Don't even try to sell me that "not very bright" thing of yours -I'm just not buying it!

    VoiceMilkNHoney commented on Oscar

    02-16-2011

    I like Oscar on the roof. Nice Oscar. Bye, Oscar. Thanks for leaving this poem in our Train's heart!

    train64

    02/17/2011

    Oscar was tough and had a major attitude..thought he might come back for a visit.. Left fresh food and water in the kennel..He never did..but.. a whole lot of birds started making the kennel their 'hang' out place..

    tenderpoison commented on Oscar

    02-16-2011

    this is great T - my gramma used to heal birds (the autobahn society even recognized her endeavors in this area) - it was like remembering her. thank you.

    train64

    02/16/2011

    Thanks Tender..That was fast I just posted..Did you see the pic? It's Oscar..T

    Poetry is not the expression of personality but an escape from personality.

    T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) American-English poet and playwright.

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