The birds I see and hear

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The birds I see and hear

The Sparrows perch on the balcony railing outside my open
door, they flit and fly and peck as they gather up the crumbs.
They argue, fight and chase each other like friendly playful
chums.
Then three swifts come zooming thorough the open door and
circle in a flash and vanish out again, what was their mission I
will never know.

The sleek black crows come to rest on the nearby tree and
craw so loud and create an awful din and want to say hello
and get a tasty snack,
When they do they fly away and very soon come back.
They seem so smart and annoy me with their craws but learn
to hush when I clap and suss them to be quiet.
They bring their latest young to learn to get a bite,
When I oblige, they fly away and soon are out of sight.
Sometimes in the morning before the dawn they are pecking
at the window glass,
They want a morning feed and annoy me more until I awake
to satisfy their greed and break their night long fast.

Then I see the large white Egrets fly together as a loving pair,
across the bay and what a sight they are, beautiful and
unique and I am happy they are there.

In the morning I hear the calling of a yellow bird,
And see its sudden flight,
It is beautiful as it rests nearby in the dazzling morning light.

I imitate its call to hear its song return,
I call again and with the bird I am one.

Then the flock of pigeons come swooping in a solid group,
Moving with precision turning, weaving as one in a magic
hoop.
They are locked as one in formation true.
Their magnetic compass guides them through the blue.

When I go by nature’s trees and water streams,
the turquoise-colored Fisher-king, I sometimes see,
I rejoice it is still alive and hopefully will always be.

As the sun sinks behind the clouds and dusk comes slowly
down, the fruit-bats heading for their forest home in
formation they swarm and fly,
Flapping wings silhouetted against the darkened sun-red sky.

Shay Cullen

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