A mockingbird outside my door will sing He serenades and taunts me with his song In early morn before alarm can ring He sings year-round, not only in the spring I try to tell myself he’ll not last long A mockingbird outside my door will sing At times his little neck I’d like to wring Though surely he thinks I should play along In early morn before alarm can ring This bird sings loudly, thinking he is king Although I beg for quiet, he’s headstrong A mockingbird outside my door will sing Ignoring me when I cry out, “Take wing!” This agony I choose not to prolong In early morn before alarm can ring With lady birds, you’d think he’d have a fling I fear I’m doomed to listen all lifelong A mockingbird outside my door will sing In early morn before alarm can ring *Written January 13, 2019