Bird Woman Falls ~ Glacier National Park ~ June 28, 2013 ~ Photo by Brenda Warren
Bird Woman Falls is Weeping
As light bends shadowed lanes across glacial faces,
my insignificance tumbles thoughts of self
through the hollow bones of birds
that hop in puddles through highway tunnels.
Unstable walls of ice edge stretches of the road,
forcing fallen streams of winter across our drive.
Beyond the vast and wild expanse,
Bird Woman Falls weeps showers of diamonds
over stone cliffs into a small steep meadow,
a glittering emerald island,
greened by melting glaciers
that carve a hanging valley
to feed Bird Woman’s flow.
The highway pivots mountains left and right,
a dizzying dazzling retreat for cars Going to the Sun
to bear witness to Bird Woman’s weeping
on this road that bridges canyons to heaven.
Brenda Warren 2013
Visit The Sunday Whirl
undercaws 
Beautiful imagery.
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Such a beautiful description of an awesome place of nature along with your thoughts. Feeling insignificant amidst such beauty…a wonderful feeling, I think. Good to feel things so far greater and beyond ourselves. Probably not explaining this as eloquently as I’d like. Gorgeous image. I was on the ride with you.
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Brenda, I know that feeling of insignificance when encountering true grandeur. I felt it the first time I was in a boat at the foot of Niagara Falls… this is a lovely use of the Wordle, hon, and I was inspired to do it, too! Hope you like the fact that YOUR Wordle inspired the first chapter in what may be a pretty good story!! Love, Amy
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This is my favorite part: “my insignificance tumbles”
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Oh, my. THIS:
“my insignificance tumbles thoughts of self
through the hollow bones of birds”
I love the double meaning here. The hollowness of self…yet only hollow bones can fly.
Beautiful, Brenda.
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Beautiful and atmospheric.
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Thanks J Cosmo!
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This truly is a beautiful piece of poetry. It is good to find places that man has not tarnished.
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I agree OE. Thank you for your kind words.
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A beautiful scene where one feels so peaceful and protected, Brenda! A great take and imagery to balance the beauty!
Hank
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Thank you, Hank. I appreciate your support.
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Hi Brenda, I could feel you being there, on the road, on your holiday. Really enjoyed it, made me think of driving thru canyons in America, places I’ve never been. Fresh discoveries. 🙂
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Thank you, Veronica. I’m glad to bring Glacier National Park to readers. It is among my favorite places.
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What wonderful weaving you’ve done here Brenda … “Bird Woman Falls is Weeping” evokes such strong imagery and emotion and you’ve managed such rich story-telling with few brush strokes and that grand photo…(thanks for the back-story as well; it is good we know that such wonders are on the endangered list…) I can see why you added heaven as a possible extra word … I tried to insert it several places in my own poem, but the muse wasn’t having it…
http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2013/06/every-day-without-him.html
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Thanks for your support, Sharon. I love the picture, too. I got a new camera last year, and it enhances my muse quite often. 😉
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Beautifully scenic piece, Brenda. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
Pamela
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Glacier is always wonderful. Thanks, Pamela.
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Wonderful poem that has a beautiful picture to accompany it. Interesting name for the fall. Bird Weeping, like that.
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Thanks Cathy. I’m liking the fawn in your picture!
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Lovely poem, Brenda! I really enjoyed these words. It’s been a while since I’ve had time to participate. Will try to do better!
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Nice to see you here, Gerry. Thanks for whirling with us this week, and for stopping to share your thoughts on my work. Hopefully we’ll see you next week, too!
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Your lovely words pay tribute to a beloved spot. Joy and peace to you and Len on your brief sojourn in paradise.
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Thank you, Marianne.
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Have been to Glacier National Park twice and both times had to turn back because the Road To The Sun was closed by snow. That was a disappointment, but not enough to dent the joy I felt just knowing I was actually there and seeing all that awesome beauty. Thank you for reminding me, your words, your own joy refresh my spirit this morning. Really like the line about the hollow bones of birds. I envy you,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/wild-gift/
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If you wait until July to come, it is almost always open. It is beautiful, even if you don’t make it to the sun. Thanks for stopping to read and share.
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Just in the nick of time it seems! I loved this piece!
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She dries up in the fall, and I imagine a final drying up could happen in our lifetime. Sad. Thanks for your support, Annell. Your piece today is gorgeous.
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The magnificence of this place shines through your words. Awesome!
A Weird Quartet
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Thanks MMT. Glacier National Park is like a gas station for my spirit. It fills me up.
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I’m still thinking about “through the hollow bones of birds.” Always enjoy your writing and like this photo, too.
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Thanks, Sabra. I like the bone bit, too. It’s one of those phrases that came on its own. I considered it, reconsidered it, and left it there. It reminds me of the Counting Crows song where Adam Duritz wrote/sings about heaven being in the belly of a black winged bird. Maybe it arose from that connection. Wherever it came from, It draws my attention, too.
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Ah “bird woman weeping” will stay with me … Beautiful 🙂
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Thank you, Pearl.
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Thank you for taking me to Glacier with you! It is a place I have still to get to and this morning I feel like I was there ! I love the first stanza and how it places the observer squarely in the realm of ‘insignificance’ Wonderful poem! Have a great time!
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I’m glad my words brought Glacier to life for you, WabiSabi. Put it on your bucket list. You’ll enjoy every second of your trip.
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“this road that bridges canyons to heaven”
A nice meditation of natural wonder, Brenda.
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Thanks Irene.
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I’ve been to Glacier National Park; it’s beautiful, and so is your poem today, Brenda.
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Thanks Misky. It’s nice when my work moves beyond darkness. 🙂
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A beautiful scene and words! I can see why when you stand here you would feel “my insignificance tumbles thoughts of self”!
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Thank you Robyn. There is definitely a feeling of powerlessness and insignificance in the face of grandeur.
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The words today will take most of us to mountain tops and wow!! what a beautiful sight it presents, be it anywhere in the world. Your experience, the gorgeous picture and beautiful words enhances our enjoyment of unseen places!!
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Thank you, Nanka. The event surrounding your piece this week is sticking with me this morning.
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I love this. The photo is amazing and the words that follow perfect.
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Thank you Veronica.
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That photo was a tough act to follow, but those words…
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Thanks Stan.
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I love your wordle. The photograph shows a magnificent place. I have never been. Imagine that.
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It’s close enough for a 3-4 day trip for you, Cheryl! You could spend a day or two in the park, and a day’s drive each way. Thanks for your support.
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