Entertainment comes in many forms
One without Nielson ratings
presents daily shows
below the garage gutter
Weathered leather shoestring
strains under the weight
of unfilled feeder
long exposed to wind
and air until
it's original surface
contains only flecks
of it's original varnish
When filled, squares of suet cakes
fitted between wire grids
entice chickadees
early in the day
before nuthatches, wren
and downy woodpeckers
peck and feed on the
nut, corn and protein
snack. Bluejays struggle
without success to
hang sideways and gather
specks of nuts from the tallow.
Other large birds, cardinal
and red-bellied woodpecker
show-up the jay as they feed
with ease at the suet rack
Each day suet sinks
slowly descending until
little is found by
winged visitors
Begrudgingly he rises
from his chair, tramps to the
garage to find a new
insert for the feed box.
Hands, weathered like the
pine of the feeder
unpack the next cake
to refresh the lure
as the scenery of wild birds
return to their feeding
and refill his soul