On Eagle Wings

6/13/2023

Hello blog friends,

It's #TankaTuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has a new prompt. Today she asks that participants use the photo on the right (by Terri Webster Schrandt) as inspiration.

Years back I traveled with my children to Alaska. Totems such as this were everywhere visible, and we soon discovered why.

In Seward, we took a small-boat cruise into the Kenai Fjords where we saw glaciers and mountainsides covered in eagles. It was breathtaking and forever memorial.

We watched as eagles soared, dove into the chilly waters, and returned to their nests with fish. I was struck by both their beauty and their freedom.

In my tanka, I try to capture that freedom. Unhampered by worries, these majestic birds glide through the air as though it were their personal playground. Oh, to be so free!

I hope you have a wonderful week. Soar freely, dear friends. 😊

45 Comments

Jacquie Biggar link

6/13/2023 11:13:23

We have a lot of Bald Eagles on Vancouver Island, and you're right, they are majestic and free- awe-inspiring.
Your poem captures their essence perfectly, Gwen <3

Gwen M. Plano

6/13/2023 11:53:42

Thank you, Jacquie. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. ❤️

Brenda Marie Fluharty link

6/13/2023 13:38:35

Amazing poem about the eagle.

Gwen M. Plano

6/13/2023 17:02:37

Thank you, Brenda, for your very kind words. 😊

AJ (ANGE) link

6/13/2023 15:18:41

Full of soul and life 💞

Gwen M. Plano

6/13/2023 17:03:00

Thanks so much, AJ. 😊

Dan Antion link

6/14/2023 02:59:11

We don’t have many eagles around here, but there’s a nest along the canal where we can walk. They are beautiful and fascinating to watch.

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 06:38:26

I've not seen any in Prescott, but when we lived in Branson, I saw them every day. I miss watching them soar. Thank you, Dan, for sharing.

Annette Rochelle Aben link

6/14/2023 05:01:17

I feel lighter reading your poem!

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 06:38:55

How wonderful, thank you, Annette. 😊

Karen Ingalls

6/14/2023 05:18:20

I watch eagles soar above our lake. They are majestic. Your poem describes them perfectly. Thank you for sharing it.

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 06:39:51

Oh how wonderful, Karen. It makes me happy thinking of your watching them soar. ❤️

Vera Day link

6/14/2023 05:22:49

Aren't eagles amazing birds? Loved your tanka, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 06:40:15

Thank you, Vera. 😊

Staci Troilo link

6/14/2023 05:32:01

Lovely poem and photo, Gwen. And I really enjoyed the story behind it. Thanks for sharing. 🦅 ❤️

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 06:41:10

Thank you, Staci. It was an amazing trip - with lots of stories. 😊

Joan Hall link

6/14/2023 06:02:49

Eagles are magnificent birds. Oh, to be able to soar with that freedom!

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 06:42:52

I love your last line - daily I watch birds and my spirit soars with them. Thank you, Joan. 😊

JILL A WEATHERHOLT link

6/14/2023 08:01:33

There's something special about seeing a bald eagle in the wild. Without freedom we can never soar. Your poem is beautiful, Gwen! xo

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 08:07:28

So, so true, Jill. "Without freedom, we can never soar." Thank you for sharing this jewel. ❤️

Jan Sikes

6/14/2023 08:23:14

A beautiful tribute to such a majestic bird! Well done, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 11:37:45

Thank you, Jan. Much appreciated. 😊

john howell link

6/14/2023 08:47:28

I too love the eagle as a symbol of freedom, Gwen. Your Tanka is lovely and fits the prompt perfectly.

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 11:39:19

Thanks so much, John. I'm not surprised that you love eagles, they are amazing birds. 😊

Marcia Meara link

6/14/2023 09:06:07

Last time I checked, Alaska and Florida had the highest populations of bald eagles in the U. S. I've even seen them fly over our house, and once, one landed in a tree in our yard. No matter how often you see them, they take your breath away every time.

Beautiful poem, Gwen! 🤗❤️🤗

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 11:40:11

So true, Marcia. Every time. They are breathtaking. ❤️

Colleen Chesebro link

6/14/2023 11:25:49

Gwen, this is a stunning tribute to the eagle. I love the totem poles with the different animals. Terri's eagle is really magnificent. 🦅

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 11:42:40

Thank you so much, Colleen. Your prompt opened the memory doors. Thank you for the inspiration. 😊

D. Wallace Peach link

6/14/2023 12:12:38

Beautiful, Gwen. Animals have so much to teach us, don't they? I'd love to go to Alaska and see that. I'm hopeful that one day I'll get the chance. Your poem is lovely. <3

Gwen M. Plano

6/14/2023 13:51:42

Thank you, Diana. Alaska is truly a frontier to explore. I hope you get the opportunity to go. ❤️

Liz Gauffreau link

6/14/2023 15:15:37

I love the insight in this poem. It turns on that third line. Brava!

Gwen M. Plano

6/15/2023 04:40:46

I'm so pleased you noticed that, Liz. Hugs...

willowdot21 link

6/14/2023 23:51:25

This poem is beautiful and the story of your trip is great too thank you for sharing 💜💜

Gwen M. Plano

6/15/2023 04:41:16

Thank you, Willow. It was a wonderful trip. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

6/15/2023 07:07:51

Eagles are magnificent creatures and your poem catches their essence of freedom, Gwen. Nice!

Gwen M. Plano

6/15/2023 07:51:59

Thanks, Tim. I'm so glad you liked it. 😊

Balroop Singh link

6/15/2023 09:46:33

What a lovely symbol of freedom! It's fascinating to watch eagles soaring higher and higher! Memories make beautiful poems. 😊

Gwen M. Plano

6/15/2023 10:38:12

Thank you so much, Balroop. Memories do make poetry flow. 🤗

Kerfe

6/16/2023 18:59:13

An eagle is a majestic sight.

Gwen M. Plano

6/17/2023 05:42:49

So true, Kerfe. 😊

Roberta Eaton Cheadle

6/18/2023 08:22:41

This is beautiful, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

6/18/2023 10:32:05

Thanks so much, Robbie. 😊

Bee link

6/18/2023 11:59:19

That is so lovely that you could see the Eagles fly. I hope one day I manage that,too, here in Ireland. 🥰. Your words capture the freedom & wildness

Mark Bierman link

7/2/2023 01:23:38

Oh to soar on Eagle's wings! Your wonderful poem brought me as close as I'll ever be to flying free!

Daniel A Antion link

7/12/2023 13:18:27

We have a few bald eagles around here that fish in the Connecticut and Farmington rivers. Your words describes them very well.

On Eagle Wings

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