If you are sensitive and can’t stand the sight of blood, do not read this poem.
You can find out more about the challenge here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/04/16/dverse-poetics-maggie-smith-and-conversational-mode-of-address/
Elsabee’s Loss
How is your new home, Elsabee?
The jacaranda tree looks comfortable
The branches are wide and well-spaced
You will love it in October when
it explodes with vivid purple flowers
I am so glad you stayed in the garden
After your horrific loss. Your mother
stayed, as did her mother before her
But they weren’t traumatized. The barn owl
swooped down on your previous nest –
an untidy collection of sticks in a
convenient fork, high up among the
top branches of the African Mahogany –
snatching your only surviving baby
I found the body, viscarated and bleeding
I broke my heart to see evidence
of your tragic loss. Nature can be
very cruel, Elsebee. But us mothers –
we have to carry on regardless
You know I don’t feed you often
It makes you dependent and tame
but, in these unhappy circumstances
I’m prepared to bend the rules
I’ve made you some meatballs
They are raw, just how you like them
I’ll just leave them here – on the outside table
Enjoy them at your leisure, Elsabee
Oh, and invite Edward if you want. It’s
his loss too, although he hasn’t
demonstrated any understanding or
visible distress. Not like you, my
feathered friend. You disappeared
Mourned until I removed and buried
The sad remains of your little one
Spring will be here before you
know it. A fresh opportunity for you
to lay more eggs, have more chicks
Hopefully, next season, you’ll have
more than just the one. You could
hatch up to five adorable chicks
Just think of that, Elsabee
You’ll be able to have your own
hadeda choir
roberta-writes.com 
So sad, but this is nature. I found a dead baby squirrel on my walk and it was distressing.
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Oh, that is sad, DArlene.
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Such fun birds. Poor Ellen.
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Thank you, Timothy.
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I do love the owls too so its a mixed situation for me.
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ohhh😔😔😔 so sad…but this is the cycle of life
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I know, but it’s always sad for me.
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😔😔😔
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Natural happenings can bring grief. 😔
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Yes, they do. Thanks Tim
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Nature is often brutal but it’s the rule- survival of the fittest. A lovely poem Robbie
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Thank you, Sadje. It was very sad.
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You’re welcome. Yes it’s sad especially as we witness it.
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Hugs
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🤗
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That is how it is in nature.
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Thank you, Diana. That is true and the birds forget quickly.
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❤️
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This is life, innit.
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It is for animals and birds
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So sad that the baby is gone. The circle of life continues. Robbie, it took me 2.5 hours to get my author blog switched over to a white background. Tanka Tuesday is next. The FSE themes are so detailed. But… you can make the fonts semi-bold and I can read them! 🥳
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Hi Colleen, thank you. I was very sad. I’m glad you’ve managed to switch the backgrounds although I’m horrified it took you so long. Gosh!
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Tanka Tuesday went easier. On my author blog, I had to change the theme. Every little thing on the FSE themes has to be touched. It’s the way of the future. I should add FSE theme setup to my Unicorn Cats services. LOL!
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I’ll cross that bridge if they make me 😉
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I cried, Robbie!! A profound, universal recognition that there are endings and beginnings. Thank you.
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I cried to for little dead Ellen. Its such a mixed situation for me because I love the owls too. Hugs
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I’m sure the nest will be full this year with squawking little mouths demanding to be fed!
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I hope so, Wayne. It pains me to lose a bird
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you lost more than just a bird Robbie, you lost a extended family member.
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Yes, that is correct. I am very fond of my birds and losing one is a dreadful shock
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I can imagine. Death is never welcomed
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No, it comes as a shock even when you know it’s coming.
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wherever people go,It must be really nice as nobody comes back to ask for a refund?
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Haha, you are right, Wayne. Poor Michael asks me if there is a heaven every night. He’s very scared of dying.
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I think all children are scared, some vocalize more so than others
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Yes, Michael has been so sick all his life, he thinks he is going to die early.
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I had to skirt past the gore but appreciated the narrative.
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Yes, that is why I put the warning. It can be upsetting to see pictures of animal/bird kills.
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I know that one of the toughest aspects of being a nature photographer is not trying o “get involved” in the actions on display…it’s powerful and sobering at times, but it is the way nature works…
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Hi John, I know. Watching a predator kill is a very mixed situation for me.
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I have to remind myself when animal or bird behavior upsets me with its violence, that it’s the nature of order of things.
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Yes, me too. I did put a warning just for you
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🙂
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So sad. Even though it’s part of nature, I think it’s good that most of us think it’s sad and grieve with the mother.
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Hi Merril, animals and birds do grieve losses. Many monkeys and some elephants carry their dead babies around, mourning them for weeks. The game rangers have to remove the bodies when they start to decompose.
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Hi Robbie, yes, I know. It’s very sad.
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💓🌸
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Nature can be cruel, but there is always hope with a new dawn. Fantastic poem and photos.
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Thank you, Jan. I am always heart broken when i loss a bird friend. Hadedas get quite tame.
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A sad story Robbie but one that is part of the ecosystem. The Ibis is a beautiful bird, and is considered magical by many cultures (but I’m sure you know that). (K)
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Hi Kerfe, yes, I am fond of birds and do research on them like you do. I love my hadedas.
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When it’s the law of the wild it’s uncomfortable but understandable. When it’s down to humans for the number of ways we destroy wildlife it’s heartbreaking.
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HI Phil, yes, this is the way nature works. I cannot stand human cruelty to animals. That is why I write about it so much. Thanks for your comment.
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It’s a sad but beautiful story and beautiful pictures. We have mourning doves around our house and the crows keep attacking the nests and eating the babies.
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Thank you, Thomas. I get very upset when my birds die. I lost my woodpecker family two years ago during a very bad hail storm. I had a poem about it in Lion Scream.
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Yes I remembe that. It is sad.
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Hugs
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I like this post, Roberta: you’ve honored the task well: brutally beautiful. I love the challenge. I have never joined a prompt website but this one intrigues me so I’ve joined; I’ll give it a go 🙂 btw enjoyed the choir video
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Hi John, I am delighted you’ve joined d’Verse. They have very interesting prompts. I don’t do them all, just the ones I like but they certainly make me think of, and write, things I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.
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yes, I will pick a task that appeals and give it a go —
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Yay
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The two faces of nature, but while the one is harsh, the other so tender! Loved this poem, Robbie, every phrase, every stanza.
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Thank you, I am happy to know you appreciated this poem.
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I did! And you’re most welcome.
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💚
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Nature can be cruel, love this post it depicts the reality, the beauty, and the brutal. Hope all is well with you and your family Robbie x
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Hi Carol, it is lovely to see you. Yes, we had a very good report on the success of Michael’s latest surgery. He seems to finally be out of the proverbial woods. I hope all is well on your side too.
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Thats great news , Robbie and such a relief for you I’m sure…We are all thank you I’ve had a rough few months after losing my mum it hit me harder than I imagined…You take care xx
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Your words live… The message (s) reach into a heart, a psyche with raw emotion… clearly, you were born to connect worlds.
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Hi Annette, I am beyond delighted that you appreciate my nature poetry messages
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Nature is so red in tooth and claw. Great wordsmithing!
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Hi Mark, yes, nature is tough and can be tragic.
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Sigh!
Life makes too much sense, and yet none at all.
Well done Robbie. I wish I could hug Elsebee!
Thank you!
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Hi Resa, I know, the cycle of life can be very sad. On of my colleague’s husband died of a massive heart attack this morning. I am totally shocked.
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Aww! My deepest condolences.
Best to his family.
Life is a mystery to me.
🌺💖🌟
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Spring can be cruel as well as bringing so much life with it.
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Nature is a tough business, but as you say, you have to move forward.
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The circle of life can seem cruel. It’s a predator hierarchy, for sure.
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Yes, that is how it works. Predators kill other predators too.
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