Fiesta Poem
Fiesta
by Maxwell Croyden Wheat, Jr.
Comes with warblers,
waves of warblers
moving up the continents:
Yellows, Bay-breasteds
Black-throated Blues, Greens.
Myrtles, Magnolias
flourishing wing-tail skirts of white and yellow, Redstarts flashing flamenco fans of orange and red, Chestnut-sideds displaying headdresses of sun
Then, Blackburnians
flown from flames of Aztec fires,
Prothonotary emblazoned with Inca gold
Used by permission – All rights are reserved by Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr.
This mornings walk around Red House Lake had a ton of birds vocalizing to the early morning light! It did feel like a Fiesta of birds and I knew this poem would be the most appropriate time to post! Max is my favorite nature writer and someone who I would consider a friend. You might remember him from this Lycopodium Poem that I submitted around Christmas time. I would like to thank him for mentioning my blog a few months ago during one of his poetry readings he did in central New York. I hope to share other Wheat poems in the near future.
EDIT: Be sure to view a blog post where Maxwell tells a poem on video. This was on the Poetry Vlog website: http://www.poetryvlog.com/mwheat.html
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Thank you for introducing me to Max Wheat–I like especially the image of “waves of warblers.”
And the photos–it must be such a thrill to hold such tiny delicate vibrant life in one’s hand. I could look at these bird pics all day.
25 April 2007 at 2:48 pm
That’s a fun poem and it’s so neat that you know the author. I really like ovenbirds. Now there’s a warbler I can id by song!
25 April 2007 at 3:09 pm
Gorgeous poem. Fantastic pictures!
25 April 2007 at 3:32 pm
What a celebration of birds, in words and pictures. Thanks.
25 April 2007 at 4:56 pm
_That’s pretty cool-A Warbler poem and terrific pictures.
25 April 2007 at 8:57 pm
Oh! Oh! Oh! Beautiful bird pictures AND poetry. Well now I’ve died and gone to heaven :0)
I’ll be googling more of Maxwell Wheat Jr.’s poetry. The Oven bird picture brought to mind Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Oven Bird’ – one of my favorites. The first line: ‘ There is a singer everyone has heard, Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird . .’
25 April 2007 at 9:00 pm
I’ll google him, too. That’s a wonderful poem. Early in the morning is the key. I’ll need to adjust morning schedule to get outside and see!!! Great post!
25 April 2007 at 9:47 pm
The birds are beautiful, so is the poem. I’m getting a few new birds at my feeder. Today the Chipping Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows were there. First I’ve seen them this year. My yard is getting very musical.
25 April 2007 at 10:57 pm
I just did a quick little google search and found this great video of Max! http://www.poetryvlog.com/mwheat.html
@ KGMom – Thanks for your kind words about the pictures and Maxwell’s Poem!
@ Lynne – Ovenbirds are great and should see him again in September! I just missed seeing him when he was a few hours away doing some poetry!
@ liz – thanks
@ Nature – thanks
@ Larry – I have been holding on to this poem for the right moment!
@ Cathy – You know what the Ovenbird says? Teacher, Teacher, Teacher! That’s what we all like to do! Teach, Teach, Teach!
@ Mary – check out that link I just added! You really appreciate the poems once you hear it directly from him!
@ Barb Thanks and I also love this poem (one of my fave’s of his)! Was talking today about how the White-throated Sparrows have really moved into the area this week. But, sounds like your yard has turned into a fiesta!
25 April 2007 at 11:29 pm
WOW, what spectacular images! Just beautiful!
26 April 2007 at 6:47 am
Awesome, the poem and photos! I’m so happy to be back on line can check your blog without sneaking it at work! course I’ll probably still do that sometimes 😀
26 April 2007 at 7:49 pm
such an amazing poem. I would love to hear more of his work.
27 April 2007 at 12:08 am
@ jayne – thanks!
@ marg – so glad you got your computer working again! Welcome back!
@ Rick – thanks and will try to get more out!
27 April 2007 at 2:40 pm
Max Wheat is a great poet, that needs your support. Check out what has happened in the last 24 hours to him. He had been nominated for Nassau County’s Poet Laureate and was about to receive his position when the Republican legislatures stripped him of his title due to a poem he had written. The poem is an anti-war poem, but in no way an anti- troop poem. Max feels passionatly for these young men and women that are serving in Iraq. The New York times had an article yesterday, June 5th, as well as Newsday.
6 June 2007 at 5:21 pm
Emilie, I am sooo sorry to hear about this happening! Please tell me what we need to do an consider it done! I would be willing to do anything for Max!
6 June 2007 at 7:59 pm
Ah,,,,well….there were so many Maxwell Corydon Wheat Jr supporters at Cedarmere today is was encouraging…..
Maybe there is still hope for our fair County…
There is poetry in every thing we do, in ouir daily lives…the enormous amount of attention to this issue has brought Poetry out of our minds and into the mainstream of conversation. What better way to PROVE…..Maxwell is Poet Laureate of the people.
24 June 2007 at 7:42 pm
Glad Max had many supporters at Cedarmere today! He is a great friend and an amazing poet!! I just feel bad all this has been happening to him!
24 June 2007 at 9:08 pm
Max was my 8th grade English teacher, incredible then, I’ve stayed in touch for over 35 years, not many people can say that or would want to say that. Max is the one who taught me ‘constructive criticism’ and to appreciate the beauty around us.
Max is a true gem and a true friend. He certainly deserves recognition as the poet laurette – he has raised generations of poets as well as many wannabees! Love you Max.
jan
1 October 2007 at 5:56 pm
Jan, I hope to see Max this weekend and will be sure to pass along the info! How wonderful to have the opportunity to say that you had Max as your English teacher!!
1 October 2007 at 6:17 pm