robins

I saw them for the first time during sunset,
Clapped my hands and heard their duet,
Faces toward the sky,
Scared,
Singing loudly anyway.
For days I watched them from a distance,
Trying to learn their patterns,
Memorizing their song -
A wild melody,
Ringing,
Enchanting -
Through the dining room window.
I watched their parents, so loyal, so fierce,
Pacing, warning like a guard with a whistle
From a nearby fence,
Watching from the tallest trees.

They were sort of like friends,
Those small robins,
Growing quickly,
Testing their skills.
Nestled in the shade of our peach tree,
Wondering about the big, wide world.

In the middle of the night, or early morning,
They spread their new wings
And left,
Just like that.
I knew they would,
And yet,
I missed them immediately.
Some friends are like that -
Arriving unexpectedly
In an evening’s orange glow -
Bringing joy and a fresh tune,
Then moving on to grow,
Experience their own wild,
And bring music to many others.