The Secret of Birds
Boy and Egg
Every few minutes, he wants
to march the trail of flattened rye grass
back to the house of muttering
hens. He too could make
a bed in hay. Yesterday the egg so fresh
it felt hot in his hand and he pressed it
to his ear while the other children
laughed and ran with a ball, leaving him,
so little yet, too forgetful in games,
ready to cry if the ball brushed him,
riveted to the secret of birds
caught up inside his fist,
not ready to give it over
to the refrigerator
or the rest of the day.
Naomi Shihab Nye Copyright © 1998.
Source: Fuel (BOA Editions Ltd., 1998)
About the Photographer:
Alfred loves to travel and photograph.
He hails from Austria.
You may find more of his amazing photographic captures on
According to Alfred the following is true:
Citizen of the World
Living without a cat...
I Belong to group.as
I am involved in
Public Circles Project
Noelle you have done it again!! This combination of words and picture is so endearing and speaks the language of kindness and tenderness the marvelous quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic...WOW!! The child is so adorable and a picture of genuine glee among the birds!! Kudos to a fantastic photographer ~ Alfred Pleyer for capturing a gorgeous moment in life!! Can there be more gentleness and sensitiveness than the following lines of a fabulous poet as Naomi Shihab Nye. Best Wishes Noelle!! ~Nanka
ReplyDelete"..the secret of birdscaught up inside his fist,not ready to give it overto the refrigeratoror the rest of the day."
I just love the poem and photo together -- magnificent!
ReplyDeleteYes. The poem and the picture. A great, deep, wonderful new group of sensations...
ReplyDelete