A collection of poems and watercolors by David Chorlton, centered on birds observed in the American Southwest. The opening pages list the poems included, such as Migration Watch, Mockingbird, Spiritrunner, and Gila Woodpecker in a Stormy Dusk, along with acknowledgments to literary magazines that previously published them. The poems weave bird behavior with reflections on modern life, migration,…
Local Birds is a poetry and watercolor collection by David Chorlton, presenting poems about birds observed in the Arizona desert and surrounding regions. The book is for readers interested in nature poetry, birdwatching, and Southwest landscape art. The opening pages list the poem titles and acknowledgments to literary magazines that first published individual pieces.
The collection begins with a poem titled Local Birds, which describes turkey vultures, Costa's hummingbirds, Gila woodpeckers, owls, and hawks in the desert environment. The poem connects bird sightings to broader themes of survival, secrecy, and the natural cycle of life and death in trees and sky.
Migration Watch contrasts a peaceful morning with distant war and rising prices, as an oriole arrives from Mexico. The poem mixes bird migration with digital life, mentioning passwords and codes, while the mockingbird sings through the night. It reflects on how nature persists amid human turmoil and technology.
Mockingbird portrays the bird as a restless singer that imitates dreams and fills the night with music. The poem sets the bird against urban details like open windows, convenience stores, and driverless cars, suggesting a tension between natural mystery and modern routine.
Spiritrunner describes a bird seen as a spiritual figure, associated with Zuni rain-bringing and Maya mythology linking it to the quetzal. The poem presents the bird as a fast, joyful presence that chases away evil and bad memories, running through backyards and desert yards with lightning in its beak. The tone is reverent but grounded in everyday observation.