Where the wild birds whistle

Where the Wild Birds Whistle
Listen!--and you'll hear the birds singing.
The chickadees with their dee-dee-dees
And the crows with their hoarse, caw! caw!s.
There's the roar of the cars down by the freeway
It even sounds peaceful--for it's morning,
A dewy perfect morning.
The sun's slanting gently sending rays westward
To our front porch.

Listen!--and you'll hear the birds singing,
If they aren't drowned out with the ice-cream truck's
"Turkey in the Straw" or
The UPS truck and its motor.
There's the wind rustling through the cherry trees
And sending the birch tinkling--for it's afternoon
A sunny dry afternoon.
The sun shines overhead and casts short shadows
On the asphalt.

Listen!--and you'll hear the birds singing,
Just one night-bound robin flying home
Above the sound of branches rustling and a voice singing
Songs about milkmaids, farmers, squires, ladies.
The tree's still rustling, the cars are still coming, softly--for it's evening
A crystal calm evening.
The swan's starry feathers and his emblem of love
Shine down on sleepy robins.

Yes, yes, yes, if you've looked at about half the links out of this site that I've posted, that title is very familiar. It just seemed to fit a summer day--in more ways than one. The robin's call is best to hear in the morning or in the evening; in the afternoon it is not so good. I guess that my "Visitors Guide to the Beacon Hill Neighborhood of Seattle, WA" would have a lot of tips on how to hear birds!
Saro