Bird Song

"I rejoice that there are owls," said Thoreau,
and I must heartily agree.
I rejoice that there are hawks and eagles, too,
those majestic circlers in the air.
I rejoice in the robins that come with Spring,
and cardinals that splash color on the canvas of winter.
I rejoice in the chevron of red
on the redwing blackbird's shoulder,
and thrill at a rare glimpse of bluejay in the tree.
I rejoice at the trill of a sparrow in the morning
and the distant knock of a woodpecker.
I rejoice that there are herons
and hummingbirds,
juncos
and chickadees,
in Jesus' name, amen.