Writing Prompts: A Bird I Have Known

Detail of "American Crow" by John James Audubon, from BIRDS OF AMERICA, recently made available in digital download from the Audubon society

Free Write Prompt

Tell me about a bird you have known :: a bird you admire :: a spirit animal bird.  Write for 10 minutes.

Poem Prompt

Write a poem with the bird as the subject: from the bird’s point of view, an homage to the bird, speaker interacting with the bird, the bird as metaphor.  Write for 15 minutes; use details from your free write.

Example Poems

Broad-winged Hawk | John James Audubon

Something Extra

This week's session is inspired by the closing week of #WriteOut 2019 , nature poets Mary Oliver and Ted Hughes, and the 453 newly released images of  John James Audubon's BIRDS OF AMERICA.  Made available by the National Audubon Society. They are simply stunning, and I had forgotten what an amazing gift this whole collection and body of research and narration is.  

While replicating physical features with uncanny veracity, he incorporated narrative elements and aesthetic touches that not only made birds come alive in their natural environments, but also lifted the images to the status of fine art. --Audubon Center at Mill Grove

Detail of Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Detail of American Goldfinch

Full plate Snowy Owl

You can search the collection of bird images by state or alphabetically.  Each featured page includes a close up detail of the original plate, a link to a high resolution image of the original plate, and Audubon's writing on the bird and the circumstances of his rendering the bird. 
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And while you're exploring, check out the Audubon Mural Project in New York City, and the numerous short clips about the artists and their respective bird paintings, such as the peregrine falcon below!

Which is your bird? Share lines of your prose or poetry in the comments. 
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