Woke

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Maya Angelou

Early morning the
chickadee comes –
darts to the feeder
peanut – sunflower seed –
he grabs and is gone
when he comes later
invariably a blue jay
or a squirrel
will be sitting there
king of the castle
or even a goldfinch
holding forth –
away oh chickadee
this food is mine

Even a siskin will
snarl when it comes
to food

And this sentinel for
all things raptor is
never accorded the
respect he deserves
chick – dee chick – dee
warning all of
what is to come
best listen to him –
he – my persistent guy
my favorite little
fella my kindred
spirit my eye
onto the world
as it truly is
speed dexterity
a willingness to be
unafraid –
staying awake always

For in a world of
bullies and narcissists
you will starve
to death as
surely as an
Irish peasant in 1847

Staying awake is how
a chickadee survives

11-2022