I heard the cuckoo sing today …

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 07 May 2026
  • 627 reads
20 comments
 

[as on May 2nd]

I heard the cuckoo sing today –
quiet, but persistent, quite far away.
Repetitive, but seems
more delicate, bell-like than the
persistent, monotonous
call of pigeons,
far sweeter than the rookery’s clamour raucous,
and as it is for me so rare 
I thrill when suddenly that famous call I hear,

We grieve that cuckoo chicks eject
eggs and other nestlings from the adopted nest
and sympathise with heavy labour
of enforced foster parents’
provisioning fervour.

But I am still cheered
when once again 
this welcome gentle sound of spring is heard.

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thank you for the cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by memphis on

This welcome, gentle sound of spring is heard. I love the sound of that. Spring!

Alex Alexander

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, thank you.

I think if I lived close to is and it did keep on I might get tired of it, but I don't think it repeats as long as our pigeons, especially as they are only single siniging I think, and the sound is somehow gentle and wisful and sweet, and so rare for most of us nowadays! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

lucky you! I can't remember when I last heard one here!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you.I think I may have heard one on one of our country excursions fairly recently but if so, briefly, but years can go by, and when you hear it, you think 'Is it? really?' ! I certainly have never heard one where we live. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

I seem to hear, and see, less and less birds in our garden. Lucky you to have a cuckoo close by. Lovely poem heralding spring.

Lindy

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Hi, Lindy. No, not from my garden. We have just returned from a holiday in rural North-west Pembrokeshire, and heard the cuckoo twice. The last time I had heard it was when out walking in or near the Black mountins a few years ago think.

We haven't had many other birds in our garden recently, but I have neglected feeding, Just been given a new feeder and some food. I chose a place where we could see it easily, but the birds don't seem to have taken to it yet. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Sometimes I feel like a

Sometimes I feel like a cuckoo chick myself. Like a motherless child.

But it's not her fault she did her best and I didn't turn out that bad myself! My dad could be a monster but he was very strong, and noble.

Keep well Rhiannon! Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

We appreciate more easily as we get older, what our parents did to try to help us and teach us, even though we see their failings, and know we too don't do as well as we'd like in all tasks before us. And we miss them! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Tell me 'bout it &

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This is our lovely Poem of the Week! Congratulations!

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Oh, thank you! I hope sharing this brings cheer! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I've never heard a cuckoo in real life. I think they must be a rare sight.

I love your poem and your account of the encounter. Your words summed up the experience perfectly.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thank you, Jenny. Glad you enjoyed. I think seeing a cuckoo is even rarer. Years ago, the song was heard much more frequently in summer. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"..far sweeter than the rookery’s clamour raucous.."

A poem in simpatico with nature itself. All the sights and sounds of spring along with aspects of life and death.

(not sure I've ever encountered a cuckoo)

Wonderful, Rhiannon.  

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. A simple testimony at the thrill of hearing agin! They are much rarer now in Britain, but mostly in the hilly and rural regions I suppose. Actually to see one would be very are, but the call used to be a sign of spring. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

This is our social media Pick of the Day!

Please share if you enjoy it too

Picture Credit (on social media).https://tinyurl.com/3y5waat4

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Glad it's still of interest! A bit puzzled about the pitcure credit, that is on social media of a cucoo in flight is it? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

That's right Rhiannon - I thought so many people said they'd never seen one, it might be nice for them! You have to credit any photos used and hopefully when they click on the link they'll see the credit. Hope that makes sense

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, of course, thank you. 

I was surprised at the comments about not sseeing the cuckoo, because even when its call was heard more, seeing it was very rare, and it isn't highly recognisable. So it's nice you have been able to supply one! Rhiannon