Swallow-tailed kite
swoops over the Planet Fitness parking lot.
Bird of black and white,
of elegance and acrobatics,
on the hunt for dragonflies.
And I’ve seen hundreds,
now,
in my years of birding;
and yet I don’t change.
Each sighting
is a surge
of attention,
then fascination,
finally – appreciation,
for this winged creature
so sublimely on the wind.
Erika is a writer, artist, and communications specialist living and birding in North Florida. Growing up in Maine, she spent summers swimming in chilly Atlantic Ocean waters, hiking fir-covered mountains, and rock-hopping within clear-running streams filled with trout. Quickly falling in love with the natural world, she has been hooked on outdoor exploration ever since. She has written for BirdWatching Daily, National Geographic Adventure, National Parks Traveler, the Maine Sportsman, the Florida Sportsman, and more.
. Love your poem. Saw a STKI in Florida in March and was thrilled. Thanks for bringing the memory back.
I love these birds, too. They are so elegant on the wing. Thanks for the evocative poem.