Favorite Birds

There are so many
so many that are dearly loved.
How can one decide among favorites?

I think, only by acquaintance,
time spent with
and, so, an expected part of daily life;
thus, looked for and missed
by the season.

In fall, I look for juncos,
also known as “snowbirds”;
and in spring, white-throated sparrows,
“Peabody” birds, so named
for their distinctive whistle;

Come summer, it’s robins and catbirds,
that nest, raise young;
and in autumn, Canada geese
with their haunting calls
as they land from Canadian
barrens.

These are the birds I live with
in and out of season,
watching, feeding, listening,
and also missing
whenever they’re out of season.