robin zugunruhe
migratory restlessness—
singing their way north
Robin Image credit: Michael Lamarche
Graphic image by Mark Toney using Canva Pro
“Robins are feeling restless. Ornithologists call this pre-migratory restlessness, zugunruhe. This German word comes from zug (move, migration) and unruhe (anxiety, restlessness).” — Journey North (American Robin) - journeynorth.org/robin/spring2017/robin-migration022217.html
Awake, listening in the wee hours of the morning
Hosanna! The mellifluous tweets I hear, so alluring
An American Robin singing its love song with such clarity
Captivating me with a hauntingly beautiful melody
I'm entranced, in rapt attention, as I sit by the windowsill
Time is gold, glittering; almost at a standstill
Oh heaven above, prithee, I fervently beseech thee
Grant me a thousand more moments such as these
It sings of unfettered joy, and my heart starts to dance
I'm seduced; lulled into a mesmerizing trance
Oh heaven above, prithee, don't let it fly away too soon
For its cheerful song sends my spirit to the moon!
Date written and posted: 02/14/2019
With hops, pecks and scattered flights
Eating unlucky bugs and earliest worms
Bright blue eggs holding future roosts
Nests made with symetrical intricacies
Guarded postures showing orange chests
Avian state symbols in Wisconsin trees
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