To the Editor:

At the Feeder

As darkness descends

Upon the birdfeeder,

There’s a feeding frenzy

In the feathered seed eaters.

It has been a long day

With many coming and going.

None seem to be deterred

Even though it is snowing.

The Chickadees are first

With little hesitation.

They are relentless

As if near starvation.

Their like sized friends

Such as the sparrow,

Darts straight in like

A well-aimed arrow.

An olive drab Goldfinch

Steadfastly holds tight,

Even when the obnoxious

Cowbird comes in sight.

The Mourning Doves watch

The seeds as they fall.

Waiting patiently in the cedar

Hoping to make a good haul.

Now come the big birds

Blue Jay and Cardinal.

If they had their way

They would eat it all.

Mrs. Cardinal proceeds

Her nervous red mate.

Knowing she must eat now

Before it’s too late.

Like a lovely charcoal print

A Junco gets to it.

On top of the feeder

He eats fallen suet.

Woodpeckers, Hairy & Downy,

Certainly birds of a feather.

Eat the suet hanging above;

The harder the better.

There are no squirrels

Stealing seeds from here!

Perhaps it is the bumper crop

Of black walnuts this year.

The birds go to roost,

The seed level is low.

I will refill the feeder

Despite the cold and the snow.

David Bolesh
Lisbon