Nancy L. Meek

DEAR MOCKINGBIRD, WHAT IS YOUR SECRET?

Why do you sing in the dawning dusk
To the slanting shadows across the lawn?
Doesn’t it matter that night is falling
And a day of your life will soon be gone?

What brings you back each afternoon
To twitter your chorus with so much glee?
Haven’t you noticed you can’t see to forage
And night means confinement to some ol’ tree?

And where in the world do you get the courage
To repeat all the calls you’ve ever heard?
Don’t you know you’re attracting attention
And you’re much too brave for such a tiny bird?

Aren’t you afraid ‘cause your days are numbered
Or that tomorrow the food might be gone?
And what if a storm devours your shelter
And you’re spewed out tonight and minus a home?

Then there’s that chance you’ll damage a wing
While flying too fast through the air.
You must know something that I don’t know
Or you wouldn’t keep singing like you don’t care.