They quite surprised me this morning
as I walked to the porch window
to check the bird feeders. No warning
given that birds had become giants.
It was a chorus lineup, slow,
purposeful and self-reliant,
necks bobbing up, back and out,
colorful feathers brightening
the early dawning chill. They flout
the skeptics who focus on charm
or flyers aiming at whitening
skies. They care little for such form.
They are quite content wandering
slowly in the grassy meadow,
now and then hopskipping about.
Their hunger is evident now,
acorns and birdseed downed without
second thoughts. Soon, the flock shows
quicker tempos, spurred on, food-warmed,
out to the wooded portico.