The Love Of Birds

A little lady cardinal One morning perched upon my deck, Spying the seeds I had placed there, Hungrily, she began to peck Soon she was joined by her lover, With his "tweetheart" he came to dine; What a lovely couple they made, Standing there underneath the pine I stood in awe of their courtship, Then came a moment of mystique - Lovingly, he took a peanut And gently placed it in her beak His wing lifted to caress her, So much in love they seemed to be; Tears started to well in my eyes, Seeing love's pure simplicity Suddenly, there appeared a hawk, A dark shadow touring the sky, All chirping hushed, fear filled the air, And then sounded the warning cry All the birds in the area Sought trees, left and right they did veer, But little lady cardinal Just sat there, paralyzed with fear Death was gliding on wings outspread, Lady cardinal in his sight; Then down he swooped to claim his prize, Suddenly her lover took flight Up he flew into death's cold grasp, Downward fluttered a tattered wing; Satisfied with his handsome catch, The hawk soared away, revelling The red bird gave his life for love, But his bravery was not in vain, Each dawn finds his lady grieving, Singing for him her sad refrain