Migratory Visitors

Decked out in his finest black and orange

He flitted around our Blue Spruce

He comes around every year

He loves to sing and show off for the locals

Then it's back to Baltimore again

But seeing him is always a welcome sight

And a good omen of what's to come

Still in the trees I hear the small cry

"Tea ! Tea ! Tea"--the Waxwings say

They look so adorable with their topnots

They don't even see me admiring them

In groups of 5, they eat what they wish

Getting all the bugs they can from the branches

Unaware they are dining in Cyprus trees

I smile brightly and watch them at work

The Waxwings stay only a short while

Then it is farewell

I'm not certain where they ravel

All I know is I saw something rare

Not unlike our Baltimore friend

They are rare and unlikely in Indiana

I watch them before they fly away

Saying my silent goodbyes

They might never return

But perhaps like our faithful Oriole

We'll welcome the start of change

And the promise of warmer days ahead

For another year.

June 1, 2006