Waiting to Score

By Frances Macaulay Forde

Sun, 07 Jun 2026
  • 116 reads
4 comments
 
This Ekphrastic poem written to a wonderful photo of
a Western Rosella taken by photographer Matt Laughton 
and posted on Facebook today. 

Waiting to Score

I see you there perched high
silhouetted against the sky.

Your regal head turned back
scanning for predator attack.

Colours bright , you are seen
standing out against the green.

Still you pose, a proud avian
Beauty enticing, soul awaiting,  

Loudly crooning loves sweet song
until a suitable mate flies among

grasses tall, a rich banquet laid for
a Western Rosella waiting to score.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2026

#MattLaughton  #WesternRosella  #WaitingToScore  #AvianPoem  #Ekphrastic  #Nature  #AustBirds
Certificate 18
Poem
Written in Australia
Nature

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

What a wonderful-looking bird Frances. Is that your sketch?

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thanks for reading and commenting on my sketch.  I couldn't use the original photo of a Western Rosella which inspired this poem, so going through my files, this was the best representation... All my paintings of parrots are the wrong colours so I couldn't use any of them.  I do enjoy painting birds, so perhaps time I added a Western Rosella?  (I have linked Matt Laughton's Facebook page in the text.) 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for your sketch and linking to the photograph, and your words show a good description of the photograph and your familiarity and love for this bird! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thank you so much, Rhiannonw, for reading and commenting.  :-)

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF