small golden pine warblers
long distance flyers
present for just awhile

built a nest
in our front yard pines
toping fifty feet at best

pine warblers tunes
sweeten the air with hymns
from May to June

first ever
delightful songs
sharp clear & piercing calls

each morning & evening
listening & watching
as they built their home
a most temporary nest

from shared Ozark air
we watched flights in & out
harbors of southern migrations

instincts engrained from old
presented lots more time
to map a northern route
flyways from ancient times
pulsed through genetic memories stirring further north

into lush Canadian byways
summer welcoming
as in so many times before

no regrets & remembering the rest
longer daylight & plentiful bounty
awaits a summer return

meeting on the wing
after a long spring’s flight
only one golden pine warbler
remained now

she chose to stay
signing loud & clear
but finding no mate
moved on

first spring pine warblers
for awhile protected midway
in Ozark forest tree pines
Posted for Open Link Night