Bird Lover Poem by L MILTON HANKINS

Lately, as sure as the sun rises on the eastern horizon
A certain cheery robin [the same one every day] sits
On my porch railing and tells me Spring has arrived,
When I have acknowledged her presence, she skitters
Across the yard in search of juicy earthworms, and
Suitable materials for nest-building beneath the soffits.

I am having an affair with this insanely personable bird
Who chatters at me like we are old remembered friends,
Chirping her familiar tune to announce her presence,
She flits back and forth from yard to the dogwood limbs
Like she is searching for the perfect nesting spot,
[She misdirects me, for she has already chosen the eave]
Reminding me how, last year, I had protected her young
From all the feral cats that staked out her location.

So, I will do the same this year. I will occasionally peek
Into her nest to see how far everything has come along;
She knows I am keeping watch, protecting her from harm,
And when her fledglings teeter on the edge of their home
I will sit on the porch and shoo away unwanted intruders;
Making sure her babies have their wings before I retreat.