This Life is for the Birds

Arnie the darling starling
comes by
with a flock of friends.

I see a silent prattle
of little feet
as they scamper with relish.

The thaw has begun
baring morsels
of possibility.

They flit, they fly,
robin red breast comes by
and together they forage.

They seem to know,
as the weatherman,
more winter is around the bend.

Stuffing beaks,
fluffing feathers,
fill their cheeks; combat the weather.

Mourning dove
visits, too,
pecking at the insect zoo.

Many creatures
are nesting there,
beneath the eaves, a lovely fare.

When rain and snow
are falling down,
the birds seem to leave our town.

Yet when the drips
and flakes seem done,
the birds come out and have their fun.

Two days ago,
on crusted snow,
the juncos skated playfully.

But today,
‘neath skies of gray,
they eat their fill with company.

©January 19, 2004