Just before dawn, the mockingbird sings, an extensive string of melodies. Does he advertise his riches, or is he protecting his nest? I listen, captivated by his song. I take a mental snapshot of this moment to hold it tight within my cache of memories. Marked for now, but memories do not stay fixed on a map. The maple tree in which the mockingbird sits is ravaged by disease, and soon it will be cut, leaving only a stump. The birds will have to move on, flying into the air–soon gone like a thought.
dawn beguiles with song–
with bells of trills and warbling,
summer mornings ring
This Haibun is for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday, using synonyms for bewitch and treasure.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
bitttersweet
And I found this comment in my spam, too. Thank you, Beth.
))
Beguiling dawn, fungible memory, transient life. Photos freeze an instant in time. Enjoy the moment, I say. Love this!
Thank you very much, Marian!
The mocking bird makes me think of a pigeon who always perches on one specific branch in our weeping birch. No leaves grow there.
Thank you, Derrick. That sounds like a fairy tale.
Nice, Merril.
Mockingbird and maple, crossing paths as each lives out its cycle.
Thank you, Ken. That’s a nice way to put it. 🙂
Merril, this is so lovely. I really love how this time with the birds is as fleeting as your thoughts. Nice analogy. ❤
Thank you very much, Colleen! 🙂
Birds seem much with us this summer. They must know we need them. A lovely evocation. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
I’m enjoying your moment, but a little worried about the mockingbird losing her tree! 😢 But like you, I sit on a summer’s day and love listening to the bird song. 💙
Thank you, Pam. Yes, I’m sad about the trees, too. There are two maple trees in the front of our house, in that little strip of ground between sidewalk and street. The arborist said they’re not in good shape, and there’s nothing they can do. They’re outside my bedroom window, so I’m really going to miss them. I’m not sure if we can plant other trees there or not. I guess that’s what happens with old trees. A big branch (limb?) fell from the mulberry tree by our driveway last week. 😦
So sad. 😦 I’m hoping you can plant a new tree to replace the maple. Maybe an evergreen? And then the mulberry tree. Sigh. Birth-Death-Birth in all living beings. xo
At least our big oak tree is OK. 🙂
Makes me sad about the loss of their home.
It makes me sad, too. But we do have lots of other trees around.
I hope the birds like those just as much!
I do, too. I think the mockingbirds are already in other trees. Hopefully, birds that are in the trees the get chopped down or trimmed will find other homes.
And I hope the other trees won’t be sad. I’ve recently learned more about the emotions and relationships of trees!
I’m bewitched by your haibun, Merril! I also am glad you’re keeping a cache of memories to remember the poor tree. 😍🌳
Thank you very much, Rose. Yes, I am sad about the trees–actually two maples. 😦
That’s sad, indeed! Perhaps it’s best they won’t know about the fool in the White House any longer.
🙂
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