Joan Colby

The Kingdom of Birds Joan Colby

Joan Colby, a masterful poet and avid bird lover, takes us on a lyrical exploration inside the bird kingdom. Through her careful observances and vivid imagination, we often see ourselves-our human interactions, our social conditions, our philosophies, our celebrations, our grief. And sometimes, of course, a poem is simply about the bird.


There's always one

Who is preoccupied-a dreamer

Contemplating the poetry of a cornfield,

Gleaning the easy pickings of

The left behind.