Written for Sadje’s weekly query:
What Do You See?

A swirling cloud of starlings
Against the pink dusk flies,
And gathers like a murmur
In the twilight skies.
Tiny black half-notes
On a silent infinite staff,
A collective breath
In sudden graceful draft.
Soon they will disperse
Like a whispered flight
Into the graying coolness
Of the evening’s muted light.
Below, the bustling city
Holds its collective breath;
Two different worlds suspended
Between life and death.
NAR©2026
#WDYS
This is “Starlings” by Randy Stonehill
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
“tiny black half notes”
Love this and your poem ❤️
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So glad to know that! Thanks much, Lisa. 💕
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Beautifully done!
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Thanks D. Fished you out of spam!
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I really don’t know why posts I follow end up in spam. Makes no sense. And I think all the Happiness Engineers now are bots.
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I agree with you about the bots. It’s very frustrating when this happens
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I really enjoyed your poem, Nancy.
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Thanks so much O’Nika. I pleased you did.
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This is wonderfully descriptive and a delight to read, Nancy.
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Thanks so much, my friend.
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Murmurations fascinate, as does your versification. Thanks
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Thank you, Ron!
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Ah … twilight skies, my favourite time of the day, and you’ve captured the event with haunting imagery my friend … 🌏🥰📘
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So appreciate your comments, dear friend, and this lusciously haunting soundtrack. Thank you! 🎶🥰💙
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Absolutely my musical pleasure my dear friend 🥰🌏📖🎶
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Nance your poem captures a murmuration of starlings with a delicate balance of musical imagery and quiet reflection
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Lovely comment and feedback, Ange. Much appreciated. ☺️
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This is so beautiful and profound dear friend. Thanks for joining in. I hope the injection is showing good results. Hugs
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My pleasure! Thanks for your good wishes, cara mia, and for your lovely comments. I’m coming along and taking it easy this weekend, just letting the cortisone do its thing.
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Hugs 🤗
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