Birds are crazy for coffee
they migrate to their favorite
latte plantation,
and sit and sing
amongst the cacao trees.
Migrants and coffee:
what's the connection?
In the last twenty years,
coffee is being grown
with no shade canopy at all.
This is the shady side of coffee
for birds of all kinds:
hummers, warblers, tanagers,
native birds find safe haven remaining
in forests of shade in coffee plantations.
It starts in the forest
and ends in your cup.
The shade grown coffee takes longer
to mature so it tastes sweeter,
and ten times the birds flourish.
You might have to pay more
for your cup of java
if it is grown in the tree canopy,
but it has a sweet, sweet, taste,
and you can think of the birds.
Author notes
My favorite place to have coffee is at a friends kitchen table, or on a porch with an evening breeze blowing.
Written November 27th, 2004
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this is wonderful -- combining two favorite elements.
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Lol, this was a funny poem, and I must say I am tickled at its little message. But I don't really much like birds, but man am I a sucker for coffee. I liked this, and it flowed well, had good mechanics and imagery. Great job
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I can just those birds loving their environment in the canopy. Quetzal's thrive there, too (as you pointed out) Infact, I think I read somewhere that they seldom land on the ground.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a cup of coffee.
Very informative and thoroughly enjoyable, as always. ~vj -
I like the poem and it amazes me on how you come up with the info that you do. Another nice write...but I'm surprise that you haven't changed your name to " Bird Lady of AP ", lol....
Well done girl...Steven -
they migrate to their favorite
latte plantation,
and sit and sing
excellent write. you have a great way of informing us while still captivating us.
very different style and it's always nice to see something different which made this, obviously, a pleasant read. thanks for the comment. ~Annie
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Those birds like any seeds that's for sure, never thought of a bird eating a coffee seed before. I know I make a good coffee, like expresso style. Dear me they spoil us too with all the varied flavours. I can relate now after reading this to those seeds and being a treat for birds. You see how you made an old mind work here and get active
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Insightful
This is a very thought provoking poem, Cheryl, because I had not put all these facts together before. The first stanza is delightful whimsy, then you get into the real meat of the poem. As with so many of our luxuries, the ecosystem and the local people bear the cost. You pulled it all together in a beautiful way.
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i think the birds like coffee...why else would they get up so early and always singing?...must be the caffeine. no ? This is a lovely poem with gentle swaying images, i found myself taken on a wonderful sight seeing trip. (i’m not a coffee drinkerr…switched to green tea ‘bout 2 years ago ) Blessings and best wishes, ~richard
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Wow!
I think this is an exceptional write, the way you expressed a correlation and the flow of your ideas,was wonderful... -
Mari,
You made me giggle. They don't really like coffee. Just that they like the coffee plantations with the tree canopys over them. so much there for them.
I know I made it sound like they liked coffee, and I have become the bird "know it all" that people will believe anything I tell them. I don't think they like coffee per se...though.
cheryl
but I do
cheryl -
I had no idea that birds liked coffee
Migrants and coffee made me think on the Italians going to Brazil to work on the coffee plantages.
I don't like coffee, but surely like to read when you write about birds
Very colourful and tasty poem Cheryl!
Kisses and love,
Mari
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Thanks for entering my contest. I've made an important update to the contest rules that includes self-judging by the contestants. Please come back and check it out as your vote is required!
BTW, I really liked the ending and think it would be more powerful if you dropped off the "again!" and left it implied as...
"And think of the birds;
and then, think of the birds"
It leaves the mind kind of open and thinking about the birds instead of closing the thought with "again". Just my 2 pence
-LongRoadHome
Edited on Nov 29, 6:24 because ''. -
I didn't know this about coffee OR birds Cheryl. This was truly very informative and interesting and I love both. Birds and coffee. I am amazed at how you managed to incorporate your own love for our feathered friends into this delightful poem. You are such a rare talent. Good luck in the contest.
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