Open Poetry #24 |
Volunteering for the oil birds |
Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
From only one tanker, or maybe more Black oil was leaking in the sea galore It drifted on waves to my dear homeland Came on to beaches, polluting white sand And in this black stream lots of birds came too Clapping their wings, nothing else they could do The future was death, if nobody cared By all volunteers, disaster was shared The vet did first aid and in boxes they went In cars of people and off they were send To the cleaning shelters, across the sea I volunteered too, took some birds with me A friend came along, we had lots of fun For across the sea, the search had begun This shelter was hidden, far in the park And the path was icy, it was spitting dark Finally we found where we had to be A chance for those birds to again be free They scrubbed their feathers with water and soap Even with centrifuge they had to cope Spreaded wings and head high up in a frame Imagine you, in a carwash, the same! Warm water, rinsing all oil from their wings I bet they could imagine nicer things In groups in front of a warm blowing fan They make their toilet as good as they can Some won't survive the stress and were dying But most of those birds sure will be flying They've to start eating the fish by themselves I saw living mice for raptors on shelves Hedgehogs in boxes, curled up in some straw On loosing oil, I'm glad there's a law When we came back on the boat at late night We had an experience we don't forget light Barriers wouldn't open to let us through Back up on the boat, was all we could do They were pulling the bridge up and down a bit And after a while all things seemed to fit The barriers opened and we could get through But we did safe the birds...at least a few Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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© Copyright 2003 Titia Geertman - All Rights Reserved | |||
SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Awwww Titia, thatnk you for sharing this. I see you like the birds, too. |
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cinnamongirl Member
since 2003-02-02
Posts 217 |
Oh, thank you!!! I was in AK when the Valdez incident happened, and my heart went out for all of those oil-soaked birds and other animals... I felt like I had been attacked as well. It really hurt. What a wonderful thing, this poem- and what you have done! THANK YOU!! |
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*Star* Junior Member
since 2003-02-03
Posts 32Iowa |
This has beautifully conveyed to me what your experience was like |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
'Even with centrifuge they had to cope' Now there's an image! Glad you were there to help Titia. And to bring us the story. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(big huggsssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, you have such a giving and compassionate heart and thanks to you and others, you have given many innocent birds the chance to live on and clean them from the mess of mankind! (angel hugs) Yay, special hugs to you, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Titia, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Hello Titia I love this story of the birds. So loving of all of you to do this for them. I love the pictures, too. Thank you for sharing with us, friend... Ethel |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
wonderful! |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
Titia, This touches my heart. The pictures say a thousand words. Yours added the compassion and hard work which is needed to save them with your wonderful poem. I enjoyed this piece a great deal. Good for you!!! For helping all you could... Hugs, Pat ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
Titia, what a wonderful thing you did trying to save those precious creatures. It just rips my heart out when I think of what man has done to our beautiful earth and oceans. Mother Earth smiled a bit the day you went out in a boat to help. Blessings upon you. Huggles, Marti 'I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.' |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Titia~ ALWAYS the busy, busy lady you are~ Ya' just got a heart of pure gold~ *I'm okay ... just taking a moment to play~ My love to Muys ... please~ Tell her I 'know' she is my friend .. and I'll be in touch~ *Huglets* to you dear lady~ ~*marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Someone had to help those little creatures and luckily...many did. There was a beautiful black sea duck in my car and I didn't even know they existed. Marge, dearest friend, so glad to see you again, I've missed you so much lady. I'll email you soon. Titia Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you for this, Titia. I've done that dirty duty in the past, along the coast of California. It's heartbreaking hard work. But when you see a bird fly off that you've spent hours and days cleaning and nursing back as close as you can to it's natural state, WOW, doesn't it feel fantastic? thank you for what you've done, and for sharing this story. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
Did this just happen Titia? A good strong poem of devotion to nature. hugssssss M |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Well, Titia, I can certainly picture you doing this. Your kindness and selfless nature you have shown here in all of your friendship obviously comes naturally to you. Bless you for being the giving person you are. People like you make a big difference in the world |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Yes this is still happening and they caught another boat red handed, spilling his oil. The first one was an accident, but what are people thinking of doing it deliberately!!! Trying to conceal it as if it would come from the first one. Another wave of oil is coming our way. Just as they're almost finished on cleaning the beaches and the birds. What are people thinking....and this was even a Dutch vessel! I'm mad, very, very mad But thanks for your support and Deer...I'm blushing all over Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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