The small black capped Phoebe birds have started

         Feeding their five babies

         On our front porch.

 

         Fly out, guard, fly out, guard, fly out, guard!

         The Mama and the Papa take turns

         Flying out for food far away from the nest many times each day,

         And quietly guarding the babies from the top of the step ladder.

 

         Of course they cannot fly out and guard at the same time,

         Their work in tandem provides both exercise and rest,

         Wisely they accomplish the daunting task of family care giving,

         Without completely exhausting both parents each day.

                                                                                                                                    Cerita M. Hewett

                                                                                                                                    March 2013