This tanka was published in Hedgerow, a journal of small poems ~ #130, Winter 2020
we turn away
from all we just can’t face—
the glistening red
of a vulture’s head
emerges from a carcass
Poet’s note:
Out of decay comes art and beauty. Look what artist Georgia O’Keefe created from a skull found where she lived in New Mexico. All is part of nature and is nature.
Deer’s Skull with Pedernal by Georgia O’Keefe (c) 1936
Where I live in central North Carolina, we have plenty of black vultures and turkey vultures. They circle and gather in the sky when there is carrion to be had. I chose this topic for the tanka because it’s a scene I’ve seen more than once. Yes, it’s not a pretty sight. Vultures, especially when eating a dead animal or gathering in a group in a tree or abandoned house do give you shivers. Something in us seems to respond with at least a momentary revulsion. However, I’m a bird lover and I try to see how a specific species fits into the scheme of things. Vultures and crows do eat carrion, the flesh of dead animals, often of roadkill along our roads and streets. They perform a good service by eating their meal and cleaning the mess up. Imagine all those dead animals left to rot. So these birds help us as they go about their business (albeit unpleasant business to us). They are birds we should appreciate for their useful role in nature. They also offer us a wonderful metaphor.
My thanks to editor, Caroline Skanne for being the one editor who chose to publish this poem.
A Poet in Time 
Beautiful writing..
Loved it..
😊😊😊😊
And
https://savouringlucidity.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/time-to-fly/#more-142
This is my new poetry..
If you interested do check out the link
.
Regards
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Exquisite tanka and an impeccable artwork choice!✨
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In the great grand scheme of nature, even clean-up duty is assigned! Thanks for reminding us.
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Not all animals are beautiful as not all people are beautiful but each has gifts of their own. A good poem, Mary. Congratulations on it being published. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I can imagine turning away from that carcass.
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Thanks for sharing, Mary! No worries: MTB runs until Saturday at 3PM EST.
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Hard to witness yes, your poetry makes it bearable.
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Thank you, Helen. Nature is complex, isn’t it?
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Thank you for sharing, Mary! No worries! The MTB post runs until Saturday at 3PM EST.
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Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #4: Mary Kendall’s #tanka appears in Hedgerow!
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Thank you, Frank!
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Visceral and iconic! Congratulations on your publication of a fantastic tanka! Would you consider sharing it over at dVerse Poets Pub? I’m the pubtender there tonight; we’re posting poetry written using 5-line Japanese poetic forms.
If you’re interested, here’s the link:
https://dversepoets.com/2020/05/21/mtb-5-line-japanese-poetic-forms/
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Sure, glad to.
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I did post the link to Mr. Linky, but I think I’m a day late. Thanks for asking…you can always repost my poetry, Frank.
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