For the Birds

February has a lot going for it: it's Black History Month, contains Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Groundhog Day and this year even has an extra day. However, did you know that February is also National Bird-Feeding Month? Yep, since 1994 this month has been a time to focus on the backyard beauty of birds. So in keeping with the spirit of this obscure observerance we present poetry on our feathered friends. 

A Barred Owl by Richard Wilbur

Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

The Daring One by Edwin Markham

The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy

Glass by A. R. Ammons

The Great Blue Heron by Carolyn Kizer

"Hope" is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson 

Snowy Owl Near Ocean Shores by Duane Niatum

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird by Wallace Stevens

Under the Vulture-Tree by David Bottoms

The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins