The Peace of Wild Things


Out in the pine
the blue jays gossip
about how spring will
soon show up
in a bouquet of streetlights.

Night no longer has its map.
The glare of electric eyes
has erased the star patterns
of migration.

Yet, somehow in the blinding
a robin can find its way
out of Texas to sing among
tulips in New York. 

Faces blanched by winter glass
turn into rosy cheeked dreamers
as they anticipate sun feathers
of tiny yellow finches decorating
chain link fences in Oklahoma.

In the journal of humans where
nature has been replaced by
concrete the defiant voice of spring
still brings grace to souls who
cherish the peace of wild things. 
 
©Susie Clevenger 2025



 

Comments

Fireblossom said…
I often look up at the sky when going outside with my dog after dark, and seeing that there are almost no visible stars in the sky anymore. I'm old, but not ancient, and I can clearly remember there being many more stars when I was a child. Of course, the stars are there, we just can't see them anymore. Nevertheless, I love the optimism and the reminder that nature goes on despite us.
February 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Jae Rose said…
I love your celebration of nature - robins have wonderful spirit as do your words - Jae
February 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I love the Texas robin finding its way to New York. And the defiant voice of spring bringing grace............a lovely piece of writing.
February 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
qbit said…
“a bouquet of streetlights” great image.
February 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Brendan said…
Grace and blessing in this evocation of the wild. May the balm of wild things soothe if not save us from sullen Texas legislators and cranky Florida dicks.
February 13, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Dora said…
Humankind may be lost in the "glare of electric lights" but not those "wild things" that find their way, that light ours with their songs of hope and peace. How beautiful, Susie!
February 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Mary said…
This is such a reflectively beautiful poem. We all must continue to cherish the wild things to find our peace!
February 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
riktika said…
This poem beautifully captures nature’s quiet resilience, reminding us that even in a world of concrete and artificial light, the wild still finds a way to bring grace and renewal.
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March 5, 2025 at 5:31 AM
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