Resident Poetry

“FEATHERED FRIENDS”

by Amy Winkler

I was feeling lonely in early spring When a pair of mourning doves Just made themselves right at home In my window boxes .

First, they’d plop into one box Keeping each other warm . Then, they’d separate and Occupy a box apiece .

They didn’t stay long, And after they’d flown away I searched for eggs, But no sign of any, yet .

Serve me right For not pulling out the old plants, Dumping the earth entirely Before winter came .

Oh, I tried clapping my hands To shoo them away, But back they flew every day Until I potted blue pansies . Mornings, they’d fly in tandem Onto the balcony railing Looking for a place to nest . One day, when I got up and went inside, I came back only to find Twigs and feathers piled on my chair . Could they really have tried to nest there?

Well, a robin came next, and sang its heart out, No doubt a warning call From the balcony rail - “This women’s persona non grata . No nests at this inn!”