Goldfinches by Mary Oliver
Some goldfinches were having a melodious argument at the edge of a puddle. The birds wanted to bathe, or perhaps just to dip their heads and look at themselves, and they were having trouble with who should be first, and so on. So they discussed it while I stood in the distance, listening. Perhaps in Tibet, in the old holy places, they also have such fragile bells. Or are these birds really just that, bells come to us--come to this road in America--let us bow our heads and remember now how we used to do it, say a prayer. Meanwhile the birds bathe and splash and have a good time. Then they fly off, their dark wings opening from their bright, yellow bodies; their tiny feet, all washed, clasping the air.

Love it! Best advice I have had all week!
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom, unless you are a plumber who likes to pretend.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm going to post this one on my bathroom mirror.
ReplyDeleteWell, that made me smile!
ReplyDeleteRoger that, Lady Guinevere!
ReplyDeleteGood thing you got this up today because I was just on my way to the bathroom and the temptation is always there, staring up from the floor, to the left to the toilet.
Merci infiniement,
I agree, but tiaras are so last season. What is one to do?
ReplyDelete*laughing at all the comments*
ReplyDeleteI nominated you dear girl - I hope you don't mind!
http://365to42.blogspot.com/2009/07/free-competition-30-prize.html
Hilarious...
ReplyDeleteI suppose the sequel might be something like (?) :
Never pretend
To be an ostrich
By sticking your head in the toilet
(sorry!)
Why not?
ReplyDeleteWonderful! And great ripostes as well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting advice. I'd never thought of this before.
ReplyDeleteI've heard it said that boys cannot resist putting something with a suction cup on their forehead. So far, I find that true.
ReplyDeleteOh, if only someone had told me this years ago!
ReplyDeleteLove this!... A friend of mine's brother was once showing off in the milking parlour, he stuck one of the milking cups on his chin.... we had to go turn the machine off...lol!
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of that, could be a farmers poem to young farmers; "Never pretend to be a cow's pap by sticking a suction cup to your chin"..