Turdus Migratorious, Junior
Still wears his spotted vest
As he bobs along behind
Papa Robin Redbreast.
Or perhaps it is Mother.
Hard to tell one from the other.
But the mission here is clear
Parent still feeds the little dear.
Below horizon sun has gone
The frogs are now in evensong.
The fireflies flit above the grasses
Their lights flickering on their
Abdomens barely brighter than the sky.
Parent cocks its head and Peck!
Grabs a worm by its neck
Or middle, or, oh, dear!
When from Junior, “Cheep!” I hear.
Mom or Pop as the case may be
Gives the worm to Junior and he
Downs it whole. And “Cheep!”
Not a “Thanks” I think, but “More!” this peep.
Parent snares another drops it on the ground
Tells Junior “Pick it up, there’s no one else around.”
“Cheep,” says the brat.
Mom picks up worm and gives him that.
Silly bird, the lesson shirks
Watches Mama as she works.
This offspring is as big as mother
But has it made, reminds me of another
Species, homo sapiens Americanus,
Century twenty-one, I think
ACHOO! I sneeze.
Both birds leap into the breeze.
Gone in a wink.© 2015 David W. Lacy
