Poet's Platform Column | 26 April 07 by Janet Nesler | The Scioto Voice | Wheelersburg, Ohio

VIGILANCE At first glimpse I thought of a ceramic bird— open beak pointed upward to release steam from one of grandma’s cobblers— so still you stood atop the roof’s ridge on a foggy spring morning. I watched you scurry down the backside of the roof, perch atop the gutter and preen your orange-red breast and beneath your left wing. Moments later you scampered up to the ridge, again, to resume your post. I wondered why you waited so long before flying away. Then I remembered wisteria vines with fragrant lavender panicles overhanging the pergola, hiding the nest. How vigilant the guard you keep over cherished robin-blue eggs— a gentle reminder of nature’s wise ways. Nancy Hampton Edgewood, KY   Haiku The grass is growing Robins picking up ground worms Spring signs good to see Haiku Saw my butterfly Small yellow flying around Knows when to come out Maybell Criswell South Point, OH   A Warm Spring Day There is an aroma filling the Spring air Lilacs are showing their Purple bloom Warm days see bees swarm to a hive Covering it until there is no more room As a Mother Robin flies up to her nest We can see she has a worm in her beak She is feeding her new born Robin birds We are tempted to have our self a peek A little bunny scampers across the lawn He might be looking for a patch of clover Across the street a boy plays with his dog He throws a stick and yells fetch it Rover Sights we can see on a warm Spring day Brings back memories of youth to the old Of children playing and having their fun Forgetting that not long ago it was cold Acie Workman Eden Park