Birds Nobody Loves: A book of Vultures & Grackles by
James Brush. This title drew me in. I am not a bird person; in fact, I know
very little about birds. It fascinated
me to think of a book written about birds nobody loves…hold on, not just a book…as
in a novel with an interesting title…but a book of poetry.
Isn’t poetry supposed to be about lovely things or sad
things or heartfelt things? Okay, I knew I must have a copy to see how the
author, James Brush, pulled off an entire book of poetical verse about birds nobody
loves.
I downloaded the book onto my IBooks. Flip- flip- flip
(reading the entire way through) and before I knew it I was at the end of the
book. I went back through and stopped at the pieces I found really hit me. So
how do I think James Brush pulled this off… magnificently!
First, I was amazed that I would even like pieces about
birds- let alone, ones nobody loves. I mean, I could imagine poems about blue
birds and peacocks and the like…but grackles?? Number one, what in heaven’s
name is a grackle? To my amazement, I enjoyed each piece. By the third read, I
was seeing layers in some of the pieces…wise layers…intriguing layers. I knew
this was a keeper.
Second, the words were beautiful. You see, I have a ‘thing’
about words. I like words that flow and dance across a page. I love words
gliding effortlessly in front of me causing me to stop breathing for just a
moment. I love words which create mind masterpieces. Such were the words I
encountered in Birds Nobody Loves.
”I caught my breath
when you confessed
that you loved
vultures too.”
- Confession.
“Only common grackles like this
heat.
The other birds hold still like
Knots in the trees, silent
waiting for dusk,
Trying to keep their colors from
melting
into the brown grass and faded
leaves.”
-Summer Solistice
“High on a power line, he cranes
his neck upward
stretching his beak to drink this
northern sky.
On other power lines, other
grackles do
the same,
Each hungry to gulp down this
bright blue day.”
- Quiscalus Mexicanus
“…Now I understand
Vultures, too, are beautiful:
They clean our messes
Faster than military undertakers
Or even the highway department”
- Patton’s Army
There were many more lines
which enthralled me- captivated me- but I don’t want to spoil it for you. So I
will leave you to discover what makes this book about Birds Nobody Loves so
fascinating. I can honestly say, when I reached the end of the book I wished
there was more for me to read.
If you want to find out more
about James Brush- you can visit either of his two blogs: Coyote Mercury or A Gnarled Oak. If you want to find out more about how to purchase the book, you can check out James Brush's post on the subject.
