THE DUNNOCK

In the fragile quiet of an iced morn

he sang; a melody of shaded notes

that shuddered hoar from an abnormal branch,

furthermore, shuddered on the crusted cobwebs.

A rainbow tune, presently coloring first light's

first moistened breath with unobtrusive shades

of brilliant days to come.

How boring this bird, this Dish, that

called the tired Snowdrops from their

rest and funneled sweet-smelling

Jasmine's delinquent ascension. How dull

his attire of dim and brown,

engraved against the rising

sun's feeble light.

He tucked away among trapped twigs and

sang, until it appeared, his

heart, as enlarged buds,

would explode, flowing

warmed enthusiasm on the ground

furthermore, soften the cold earth to

crocus-shaded tones.

How the Mother Earth

grinned, as

she gave this unassuming

emissary of the Spring,

all her unobtrusive varieties

to his tune.