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A Flycatcher Sang His Song

A flycatcher sang his song today,
High atop a tall fig tree--
Out on the tipsiest branch
He swayed with rhythm
As he proudly sang--
Sang with joy, fluting so marvelously
I could scarce believe my ears--
Sang to his lover
Who answered in kind
From the nest they prepared;

Together they sang
For a young-one yet to be born;
But somehow knew
Near enough to hear their song
(Every season one would come along;
Needed to be fed,
Protected from the hawk--
Must be taught
To fly--
Sing the flycatcher song
By and by);

I listened to the two,
Suddenly feeling wings--
Found myself flying
Without any strings;
As one in a dream
Walking on air,
Gliding for rest,
Catching some lift
Out soaring the best.

I thanked the Flycatchers
For just being them,
My mind lighting on earth
once again-
Firm on the ground
Yet decisively changed--
A part of me
From here on out aloft….

Copyright © Joe Dimino | Year Posted 2016

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Carrie Gaynor Date: 8/6/2025 4:19:00 AM Hi again, I have one question. You mention "High atop a tall fig tree--" Does this refer to the flycatcher's migratory behavior? Or is it something else? TY Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 8/6/2025 9:17:00 AM No, not in this poem's case. I actually have a huge fig tree in my Arizona backyard, where one of my Fly Catchers likes to sit atop and sing his heart out -- he does the same from a tall wooden electrical pole. Showmen, maybe wanting girlfriends, they seek lofty heights to perch and vocalize. Really exposing themselves to hawks. It must be important for them. Beautiful voices. Their trills electrifying. Thank you Dawn. Good luck. You are always welcome to contact me. If you like, email me your article, bet it will be terrific -- poet@centurylink.net.... Joe. If you want to print this explanation or part of it, edit as you wish, with your article please do. You have my blessings.

Carrie Gaynor Date: 8/6/2025 4:16:00 AM Hi Joe, thank you so much for your kind and creative heart. Now, I have a gift to share with you. In trying to reach you, I inadvertently contacted another Joe Dimino, and it turns out that he is also a poet! Believe it! When he brought this to my attention, I said, "You two should connect and do a duo!" He said, "Might be the first Joe Dimino's ever as strangers chiseling out the words... and that's an uncommon rarity…" I will let him know that he can find you at Poetry Soup. Login to Reply

Carrie Gaynor Date: 8/4/2025 6:57:00 PM Hi Joe, I love your poem about Flycatchers. I am not sure how to contact you to ask for permission to include it in a neighborhood newsletter. We have an Important Birding Area, and I write a column on one of the birds each quarter. We are just starting the Flycatchers, of which there are six, and I thought your poem a fantastic introduction. I look forward to hearing back from you. Kind Regards, Dawn Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 8/5/2025 4:44:00 PM Hi Dawn; by all means, please do use my poem anyway you wish, you have my permission. I feel honored, and the Fly Catchers really wrote the poem, somehow communicated with my creative heart...so it is yours and theirs. Free to use for your column, tell others free to use for group meetings, on cards, my gift to them, in behalf of all the Fly Catchers in God's blessed world -- whatever, however you like. Blessings my friend. Wishing you and your paper a glorious publication!

Lindsay Laurie Date: 7/23/2018 10:30:00 PM G'day Joe … so many humans have no clue that we are in natures plan and how we must respect all life or we will end up with no life. Like you, birds have always held my interest, and it's so pleasing to live amongst them - Lindsay Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 8/1/2018 11:08:00 AM Truth be told, we are all connected. To disrespect any living thing, is to disrespect our own form. Blessings my friend!

Paloma P Date: 10/6/2016 8:40:00 AM Stunning, I didn't realize 'flycatcher' was a bird at first, but you had me at fig tree nonetheless, my favorite. It's a well tuned ode. Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 10/6/2016 8:53:00 AM Hi Paloma; I have this huge fig tree in my back yard, and it has become a favorite of our local bird population. When figs are in season, I get local and migrating birds from all over the place. So I put a bird-bath. It is hilarious (sounds like a bird sanctuary--birds splashing, pushing one another in and out of the water, like kids at a pool, in 110 degree shaded area)--even have a species of parrots stopping by. Imagine that, desert parrots! Joe Dimino Date: 10/6/2016 8:40:00 AM Hi Connie; thank you dear one for commenting. Strange, how you and I know of a poet's soul, and yet, these things are so natural to us, as if, all should feel this way, poetry being synonymous with life, intense, physical/soul living. I think, body and spirit must be one--the touch of a mortal elevated to the sense of a god by spirit/human osmosis. Blessings my friend!

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 10/6/2016 1:00:00 AM Oh Joe, you have a poet's soul that runs intensely deep within you. I love to read your poetry because I always feel inspired after reading one of your poems. Your connection with nature is palpable. This poem is a beautiful gift! Thank you my talented friend. Aloha, Connie 7 : ) Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 10/6/2016 8:41:00 AM Hi Connie; thank you dear one for commenting. Strange, how you and I know of a poet's soul, and yet, these things are so natural to us, as if, all should feel this way, poetry being synonymous with life, intense, physical/soul living. I think, body and spirit must be one--the touch of a mortal elevated to the sense of a god by spirit/human osmosis. Blessings my friend!