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    Parker Owens
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Birds - 2. Juncos and Goldfinches

Another view of visitors outside my window. Maybe you know them. In any case, all errors you can find are mine alone.

Juncos

 

The Junco wears a habit plain,

slate-grey above both back and brain;

his waistcoat white, worn down below,

might bear the mark of breakfast’s stain.

 

He’s found upon the ground, you know,

to forage in new-fallen snow

‘neath bushes dropping seed or pit

where mourning doves disdain to go.

 

His nest is dug in dirt or grit,

tween tangled roots, if he might fit

in such a cozy narrow bed

to weather winter’s cold remit.

 

December’s dark must overspread

where all seems dreary, chill and dead;

yet Junco’s cheerful, chatty strain

says springtime’s love to us is sped.

 

 

Goldfinches

 

A motley Goldfinch changes twice:

once in the spring before it’s nice

and once again as winter nears,

before the world is snow and ice.

 

His yellow summer coat draws cheers;

it’s loud and brash and yet appears

to blend with summer’s brightest bloom –

in dandelions, he disappears.

 

In fall, his garish robe makes room

for January’s drab costume

in which ascetically he feeds

on nuts and seeds, we must presume.

 

In May again he then proceeds

to switch his garb before he breeds;

I did the same, ‘twas good advice;

great fun we had amongst the reeds.

If you migrated through this poem, feel free to leave a comment or thought. I'd be grateful.
Copyright © 2018 Parker Owens; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

2 hours ago, Valkyrie said:

Lovely, as always.  I think you captured the characteristics of both perfectly. :) 

 

Juncos are often overlooked as merely grey birds of little interest. Yet they’re adaptable, subtle, and full of nuanced variation. Goldfinches are flashy, brilliant, eye catching- quite a contrast. Yet they share feeders and their interplay can fascinate. Thanks for reading these! 

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On 12/14/2018 at 8:00 AM, aditus said:

Thank you for introducing they guys to me in such a jolly  way. I had fun to read about juncos. I learned with luck I could meet one here.

 

I hope you have the chance to make the Junco’s acquaintance. I’m glad you enjoyed meeting him and his kin. I’m watching my feeder for more insights and inspiration now. Thank you for reading and for your comments. 

5 hours ago, northie said:

Your bird table sounds so exotic compared to mine, though we both have goldfinches (assuming they're the same on both sides of the pond). ;) Certainly nothing ground-nesting - they'd never survive the cats and urban foxes.  

The junco is a wily ground feeder, choosing inhospitable places to shelter from predators. The goldfinches I am sure are largely the same. There’s a hawk flying around this minute - both juncos and finches are keeping very quiet. Thank you for reading this installment and for your comments. 

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