found sound: noises natural & not

the wind plays variously - 

creaking dilapidated tree trunks,

rustling tall grasses,

tapping paper-thin leaves

against each other on tall red stalks

in a genteel sort of applause.

a bird chorus sings diversely -

a chaos of sounds, high and low,

staccato and long-drawn notes,

dominated by the distinctive calls

of red-wing black birds.

my feet beat softly on the
boardwalk or pavement
and crunch the small stones

of the gravel path.

two runners approach with
the sound of quicker footfall
and later a biker passes by,
the wheels rhythmically
creating a stone-song underneath.

a bunny hops away

not quite noiselessly;

further down the path

a small boy sits with his grandma

at a bench along the river
and greets me with
an enthusiastic hello.
fishermen on the other side
banter boisterously
about grilling their catch
with lots of butter.

a surprised dragonfly flutters

with noisy abruptness from
the bush where it had rested

and an equally startled sparrow

scoots away with tapping
steps and flapping wings
across and above the path;

my ears occasionally
catch the fleeting buzz
of passing insects.

crows caw in the distance

while close to the path
a small and leafy tree explodes
with the loud chattering of
unseen birds hidden within;
i imagine a sort of

bird family celebration

or perhaps a domestic dispute?

leaving the park, i pass
a group of volunteers
quietly conversing
while weeding out

invasive species
as i return to my car
and the sounds of...
a distant church bell ringing,
children playing,
cars and other machinery,
the sounds of the city
going about its day.

*****
Yesterday afternoon I walked around the Rotary Centennial Arboretum at the Urban Ecology Center in Riverside Park.  I was determined to pay deep attention to the surroundings and particularly the sounds.  Typically I might let my thoughts wander to my "to-do list" or be tempted to take pictures rather than simply appreciate the environment. 

As far as sound, I was inspired by an article I recently read "Soundscape of the city is about more than decibels," including this quote:

"The quality of sound, both good and bad, is among the most significant, yet least-discussed, aspects of the human habitat." 

The article mentions a group called the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology whose mission is "exploring the role of sound in natural and cultural environments."  There's even a World Listening Day on July 18th, 2017, which is "an opportunity to consider and engage one another in an ear-minded, soundscape approach to our environment, to understand our shared role in making and listening across cultures, generations, places, disciplines, and communities..."  Makes you want to listen more, doesn't it? 

I've also been reading writer Lisa Rivero's blog series, DIY Summer Writing Retreat, which would be of interest not only to writers but also to anyone trying to find more focus for creative work.  A few of the posts are about the distractions of social or digital media.  While I don't think I'm an excessive user of social or digital media, I do see the way it easily creeps into my life.  A hike, for example, can too easily become an opportunity to take photos rather than a meditative or recreational stroll.  Yesterday I only allowed myself to take one picture at the end of my walk.  Because I didn't have a notebook with me, I quickly jotted down my observations in the notes on my phone when I got back to the car.  Later I looked those over and wrote this poem.   

There's nothing wrong with photographs, of course.  But I wonder if our constant access to picture-taking via our phones compels us to look more for the photo opportunity than to immerse ourselves in the moment.  What do you think?

*****

Two other nature poems you may enjoy:

cell phone/nature poem for the first day of spring

 in-between