The Nationality of Birds
Written by: Marilyn Hamecher

Ms. Chickadee flits close to my head.
I listen, twittering, while she's flying about.
What nationality would she be?
Clearly, I hear her twittering to me.
"Top o' the mornin' to yaw!"

Signor Cardinal swoops down to the feeder.
He hops back and forth, grabs a seed.
Fanning his beautiful red feathered tail.
In his red suit, he politely chirps to me.
"Ciao! Ciao! Ciao!"

Srta. Junco speed dives to ground.
Showing no manners for sharing.
Flashing her perfectly marked, petite body.
Devouring seeds and peeping to me.
"Buenas días! Buenas días!"

Herr Nuthatch glides to the feeder.
Boldly joining the other nationalities.
Balancing himself, he seems short, like me.
Snatching food, he pipes in a low guttural tone.
"Guten Tag...Guten Tag!"