Busy Birds

There are many birds that gather
In my yard all through the year.
However, there is one I favor.
I wait for her to reappear.
You'll not find her at the feeder,
Like the others on the dole.
I think her mama taught her
Self sufficiency is the goal.
She and her faithful hubby
(Oh how that guy is trained)
Have come back to their love nest,
On my porch where it remained.
She showed him how to mend it
And he worked hard at his task.
Aything at all she wanted,
All she need to do was ask.
Their nest abuts the ceiling,
I bump my head before I see
If the little ones have hatched yet,
But if not they soon will be.
Once here, their mouths will open
And will never close again
Until they're big as their own parents, 
But they're never offered grain.
No, it's bugs and bugs and more bugs.
They keep Mom and Daddy hopping.
She tells him they have mouths to feed.
There is no time for stopping.
While he is gathering the food,
She's shoving it into them
And passes him when he returns
From committing insect mayhem.
Now Daddy gets the job of feeding
While Mama's on the hunt.
In this nest of well fed children
You will never find a runt.
She grabs all of the mosquitos
That her little beak can hold.
Her mate is going out for more,
She doesn't have to scold.
You will not find better parents,
Human ones or otherwise,
Than these precious little swallows,
With a love that's supersize.
You would think they would be happy
When these youngsters leave the nest,
But they start another family
Busy swallows never rest.
Any villainous mosquito
Won't have a chance to do me harm
While these persisting swallows
Have a nest on my old farm

By: Joyce Johnson 6/17/03
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Smith-Johnsen Avatar
February 10, 2010 at 5:47 AM
Joyce, I absolutely love this poem>>>to my favorites! Thanks for sharing. Do they still come? I do hope so. Your delight speeds across the Internet to my heart. God be with you and all swallows the world around. Your words are perfection. Love, Dane ann
Brown Avatar
February 3, 2010 at 7:13 AM
I enjoyed reading your beautiful poem this morning Joyce. Thank you for posting and sharing with us. Love, Carol
Owens Avatar
February 2, 2010 at 6:42 PM
This is a wonderful bird poem...Enjoyed reading....Marty
Dietrich Avatar
February 2, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Cute tale and that was funny about the villainous mosquito! they are your guardians!! LUv, andrea
Freeman Avatar
February 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Tha is really a unique narrative Joyce. Amazing how birds and animals are so zealous to care and feed their young.Smile. A beautifu sight to see. Sincerely, love, Moses
Kendrick Avatar
February 2, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Yes, they are beautiful in flight as they swoop and dive after bugs in flight. Delightful write on a great topic. Keep the creative pen flowing. Sara
Palli Avatar
February 2, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Wonderfully written. Loved it.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace