Ted Lamb's bird poetry will delight everyone who loves the natural world. Personal recollections include a magical meeting with migrating nightingales while hitch-hiking through France and 'owly singalongs' enjoyed on dark nights. Swans are among his favorite birds... Swan Majesty
Nothing so glorious as swans in flight a vision heard as much as seen as every long, strong quill is bent to drive majestic shapes of purest white.
Nothing so wonderful as swans a-sail with wings upstretched and scooping air and heads held high and proud to scud along black waters in a gale.
Nothing so at peace as swans asleep heads under wings and rocking gently on the waves dreaming of we know not what while all extremities are tucked-in neat.
In this edition also there are more of Ted's poems, including an ill-fated intergalactic love affair, 'The Ballad of Sally Stardust', and a collection titled 'Other Space Junk' that introduces some out-of-this-world concepts such as the true universality of the universal wrench.
From 'Sally Stardust'
Sally stole a cruiser from the deep space park-lot Blasted from the shadows of the moon's dark side Bad-fingered the cop-ships Lined up a star chart Crashed the screaming engines into hyperdrive.
Some say Sally's lover was a gambler and a killer Others just a victim, framed and without vice Sally only knew him As a lucked-out loner Knew she had to follow in his endless flight.
Now she roams the space lanes, singing like an angel Making a living while she keeps her hopes alive She will never stay much longer than an eye-blink Moving on as swiftly as she first arrived.
Always just behind her lurk the silent watchers Hoping she will lead them where her man can't hide She can feel their presence Dark and cold and evil Knows she has to shake them or her sweetheart dies.
When a shooting star flares brightly in the twilight, Mothers tell their children not to be afraid, "See, it's Sally Stardust Poor, lost Sally Stardust Doomed to keep on searching til the end of days."
Someday you may see her, listen to her sweet voice When you break your journey in some far rest bay You will know it's Sally, eyes so deep with sadness But before the spell ends she'll be on her way.
