Seasonal Evolution

Seasonal Evolution

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As tax day ends, nature sends exhausted hummingbirds?

I hear, not see, their quick fly by as they shout, “It’s Spring.”

Helicopter outside my window—smile so absurd,

Never have I heard them sing, but hum an unknown song.

They shoo dull Juncos to arboreal summer forests.

Smartly away from southern heat to breed and to rest.

Vibrant Grosbeak flits to his cooler mountain retreat.

My alarm clock now is the Cardinals’ harsh morning tweet.

Oh my Carolina Wren with scolding voice so loud

And tiny Blackcap Chickadee standing bold and proud

Will you drive me into debt with your big appetite?

Why don’t you harvest more bugs at the edge of the night?

Shrill tweets, love songs, and territorial squabbling

My southern birds are here to stay; this much shall endure.

And despite the Blue Jay’s metallic ting-ting, ting-ting

Morning’s sweet cacophony, rings outside my screen door.

By Rick Bylina                                                     

4/25/16