Comment from Michael Groover

Excellent

Your haiku skillfully conveys the grace and artistry of freestyle athletes in flight. It captures the sense of movement and creativity in their performance. Well done!

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you again Michael. I appreciate your comments because I'm been avoiding the shorter poem and I'm glad they well received.
Beth

Comment from davisr (Rhonda)

Excellent

I love watching flocks of birds, but have never noticed the artistic quality of their flight. I will now look on them, less as a scientist and more as a poet. I'm glad you shared this idea with us.

Take care,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you, Rhonda. Watching them is amazing. They move really fast and it is amazing they they never touch one another.
I really appreciate the review and comments.
Beth

reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 30-Nov-2023

You know, that?s a really good point, and I know they adjust position according to a routine.

Comment from Jesse James Doty

Excellent

I love the alliteration of the three lines in this entry to the contest. A Haiku is difficult to write and yet you have a great sartori in the third line that makes this work well.
Thanks for sharing and good luck.
Jesse

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Jesse. I'm glad you like this. These birds amaze me that they so fast and close together without touching
Beth

reply by Jesse James Doty on 01-Dec-2023

I agree they are amazing. Birds who fly in formation have a form of radar that tells them how close they are to each other. That's amazing.
Jesse

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. When I was speaking with my mom, Saturday on the phone, she mentioned how her backyard and front yard were completely filled with starlings. We figured they were gathering to get ready for migration. Good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Barbara. I read about the starlings and found they are natives of Europe but in 1890 someone turned 100 loose in New York. Now they are all over the US, Canada, and South, and Central America and Mexico. They are considered envasive and in Tennessee where I live they trying to control them and cut the population back. I read only the Canadian ones migrate. They are dangerous around airport because they can cause jets to crash.

reply by barbara.wilkey on 30-Nov-2023

Wow!!!

Comment from jim vecchio

Excellent

My wife and I once took a special cruise in Connecticut to view the landings of starlings in the evening. It was a wonderful aerial ballet I shall always remember! God is so creative. He instilled tht instinct into those birds.

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Jim. I'd never seen the starlings until I moved to Tennessee but we have too many of them here. I saw them yesterday doing the flight acrobatics.
Beth

reply by jim vecchio on 30-Nov-2023

I am glad you brought back that memory to me!

Comment from Jacob1395

Excellent

I loved the imagery in your piece, Beth. It is always magical seeing starlings in formation, although I've read that they do it to protect themselves from predators. A well written piece. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Jacob. I wonder why this species in particular chooses this way to protect themselves. I would think any bird would be in some danger from predators. Most don't flock together like that. Thanks for the nice review,
Beth

Comment from Yusita

Excellent

This is great. I love Haikus. So much imagery in just a few words. Loved the second line: Artists of the atmosphere. This piece is catchy. Well done and good luck in the contest!

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Yusita. I'm so glad you like this. I appreciate the review.
Beth

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Beautiful image. Watching such formations and the birds dancing in flight in the sky are such a beautiful experience. Your lovely Haiku has pleasing alliteration (although I am not sure why Motion has a capital letter?). Sending best wishes for your excellent entry.
Wendy

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Wendy. I don't know why I capitalized it either. I changed it, thanks to you noticing it.
Beth

Comment from BenThrone

Excellent

Ah, I do love watching murmurations in flight. The sight of the swooping bird-mass feels so soothing, like the poetry of life on the wind. Thank you for this beautiful haiku

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank you Ben. I appreciate the review and comments.
Beth

Comment from Lisasview

Excellent

Good morning Beth,
I just love this Haiku of yours...
I am wondering if you are getting my posts... I ask because I am not getting yours!
I find yours by looking at your portfolio,
Lisa

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023

Thank Lisa. Actually I thought you were on my fan list but when I checked you weren't so I put you on this morning. I'm not sure if you had put me on yours.
Beth

reply by Lisasview on 30-Nov-2023

Great to know I am on
Not sure if you have read my last post?
Lisa