Each spring, as I plant a garden,
I put out birdseed, too,
hoping to coax in a few songbirds.
I’m rarely disappointed.
There will be robins,
cardinals and finches,
and noisy little chickadees,
maybe red winged blackbirds,
but always cooing doves.
Occasionally I’ll hear a bobwhite
calling from the shadows.
But, unless I get a visual,
any of these could be those
shy, talented mockingbirds 
testing their vocal chords and
expanding their repertoire.
But each one of these birds
likes to eat the bugs
that want to eat the food
which I am wanting
to grow in my garden.