Mockingbird sings,
brings sunshine
in his song,
all his longing
brightly calling
swinging my heart along,
and through his trills,
he fills the night
with vibrant light–
stilling the storm–
to wing it
softly out of sight.
This is for dVerse Open Link Night, where Mish is hosting. For the last two days, we’ve had severe thunderstorm alerts and tornado warnings. Fortunately, we did not get anything too awful here, but it makes me anxious. Last night, after the storms had cleared-out, I opened the bedroom window a bit and heard a mockingbird singing. It made me happy–then I heard it again today. There are things on my mind, and we’re under a severe thunderstorm warning again, but right now, the birds are singing.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Be safe and keep listening for the mockingbird songs.
Thank you, Sheila. I will!
Birdsong during the lull between storms is always cheering and bright. Think of a world without birds or bees; shiver.
Thank you, Glenn. Yes, that is sobering, shivery thought.
I have a resident mockingbird this year too. Always a bright spot in the sound of the day.
These storms are anxiety-producing. At least we’ve escaped tornados and hail so far. (K)
When we had to have our two maples cut down, i was afraid I wouldn’t hear the mockingbird this year, but they’re definitely around. I’m glad you didn’t get anything too bad either with the storms.
Birds are a great warning siren for us. Last summer I was returning a grandchild to his home and as we left the car about 6 hawks circled overhead making such a huge racket. Then we saw the deep dark purple cloud coming nearby, and we all scampered for safety.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a mockingbird, but I’d like to read this poem to one I come across.
Thanks, Pam. That’s interesting about the hawks. Usually it’s the other birds warning about hawks! If you’ve ever heard a bird just sing long phrases and go on and on–it’s probably a mockingbird. In flight, you’ll see a long tail with a flash of white.
I think you’re right; I’ve probably heard a mockingbird but not known. I’ll pay more attention. And you’re so right about the hawks. I sit out on my porch chair and listen to the birds warn in shrill sounds when a hawk comes near.
I love that moment when the birds start singing again after a storm. This is lovely.
Thank you very much, Sarah. There is something special about that moment.
I think after today your weather should quiet down for a bit. Sometimes I think bird are better at forecasting the weather than the meteorologists. I love to listen to the mockingbirds.
Thank you, Jill. Yes, it’s very pleasant this morning, and it looks like it will be a nice day. I hope that lasts through the weekend.
Love the nod to mockingbirds! Our sky here has been crazy noisy with happy birds lately!
Thank you, Luanne. It makes me happy. Today looks pleasant, and the birds are singing!
Yay!!!! birdsong is more than it’s cracked up to be, if that makes sense.
That made me laugh, Luanne! But yes. 🙂
I like the idea at the end of winging it softly out of sight.
Thank you, Frank!
Oh gosh be safe! ❤️ This is a lovely write 🙂
Thank you very much! ❤ Today looks like a nice day. 🙂
I love a good thunderstorm but can’t imagine tornadoes! We don’t get them over here. Sadly, we don’t have mockingbirds either, however, I love the beauty of birdsong after a storm I’m glad you heard the mockingbird, Merril, and hope he continues to fill the night with vibrant light and wing it out of sight.
Thank you, Kim. Fortunately, the tornados missed our immediate area. We never had to worry about them here in the past–especially in May. Today looks like a nice day, and the birds are singing. You have nightingales. 🙂
I hope the storm is not disastrous. A joyful poem nevertheless
Thank you, Derrick. Today looks like a nice day.
Here’s a song by Burl Ives to go with the mockingbirds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J3YEgxntoQ
Thank you, Marian. Here’s one for you:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WM_R-6AKHE
🙂
This was lovely, thank you!
Thank you very much!
This is lovely, Merril.
Thank you, Ken!
Love this poem! Makes me want to go outside (I’m at work and the windows don’t open). This reply from you made me laugh: “If you’ve ever heard a bird just sing long phrases and go on and on–it’s probably a mockingbird.” We have plenty of mockingbirds around here and they do go on and on and on. One time a mockingbird “regaled” my husband and me with his entire repertoire. I can’t remember how long he sung but we started cracking up after a few minutes. He really put his heart and soul into his performance 😉 Hope your weather improves!
Yay–so glad this poem made you feel this.
And I know about the mockingbirds. A few weeks ago one was singing on and on, and I think he was incorporating other bird calls into his song. Sometimes they will actually sing all night long. (So much energy spent–it does seem like they are pouring their hearts out.)
Beautiful! I can hear the song in this.
Thank you so much!
Sweet birds…they really do bring hope to gloomy days. It’s hard not to love them. I enjoyed the internal rhyme and the flow… like a song of it’s own.
Thank you very much, Mish!
I love the songs of bird… I think the mockingbird’s song is similar to the eurasian blackbird… so I can understand the comfort the song can bring
It may be, Björn. They mimic other birds’ songs and sometimes other sounds and can just sing on and on.