Poetic Justice

Geese not only mate for life, but they also keep for life their same places in their flying "V" formation. An empty space means one of their own has been lost; it will never be filled again.

I am always in awe when I see the many flocks of migratory geese piercing the bright, blue sky as they return to their roosting spots in far northern climes. Every time one flies overheard, I crane my neck to watch in silent fascination their graceful, loping flights, to listen to their trumpeting calls, heralding their passing. The last migrating flock flew over my neighborhood just a short week or so ago, its "V" formation starkly studded with many gaps, where once comrades soared.

It is no surprise that geese are often metaphors in many literary works. One in particular, released here in the States just this past Februry, is Ten White Geese , the second novel by the Dutch author Gerbrand Bakker, who uses the remarkable birds as the symbol of life’s complexities.

As my review on www.authorexposure.com states, I was reluctant to read this remarkably well-written novel because of a badly written review in a local paper. When you follow the link and read my comments, perhaps my review will inspire you to read the book.