The wood thrush sings in earth tones 
underscored with its rustling of leaves, 
digging searches for bugs. Its call 
jabs like the spots on its breast,  
black on white, its tongue spreading 
heart’s urgent news— love notes 
or heads-up, heads-up!  

The goldfinch sings like tiny coins 
falling in a fountain, races its mate 
in figure eights bright as flying 
sparklers, its song a feathered 
notation, black on white, 
syncopating wings and tail.