Of Kings and Sparrows

Sara L Russell 11th May 2023 at 10:08

The Robin sings to keep male robins away

and to bring female robins to see 

just how handsome he looks, 

 both by night or by day,

how he flutters magnificently.

His refrain’s sweet and long,

  it meanders along

whether aiming for war or romance;

all the gardeners smile at his beautiful song

and even the flowers long to dance.

  And the sparrow says: “cheep”.

Now the starling’s the darling of all those who know

how he imitates all that he hears;

from loud car alarm

 to vociferous crow,

none are safe from those accurate ears.

He will wind up the robin

 with songs of females

(yet his own cry’s a scurrilous screech)

He mimics the keening of lost killer whales

and confuses seagulls on the beach.

  And the sparrow says: “cheep”.

Oh the Nightingale sings in the gardens of kings

and his song’s an outpouring of love;

with a full-throated warble,

a beating of wings,

a concerto of joy from above.

He’s dueted with peacocks for sultans, by day,

he has sung weary soldiers to sleep

with arpeggios rising in sparkling array

over portcullis and castle keep.

  And the sparrow says: “cheep”.