The mocking bird stands careful Atop the cactus in the heat It drops its load And flys off It's yearly part in this complete The droppings contain A parasitic mistletoe seed At night comes forth a tendril When the host begins to breathe It slowly wends its way in Deep into the flesh Reliant on the moisture In which it sweetly rests It's sits there near a Calendar Then bursts out In a Blossom Of blood crimson red Humming birds drink of its nectar The cactus half near dead Then at last the mistletoe Bears its fruit And the Mocking bird returns To feast the cycle off once more It's nutrition duly earned