Goldfinches in January

By John I. Blair

The goldfinches have arrived at last,
Fugitives from Minnesota snow,
Eagerly soaking up the Texas warm,
Feeding on all the free seed
I dole out every day.

No bigger than a wren, each one
Appears inconsequential;
But as a swirling yellow flock,
Flooding the air with feathered forms,
They dominate our birdy deck,

Landing here and there and everywhere,
A dizzy dissertation as they go
On strength of numbers,
The power of persistence,
The forcefulness of full-tilt feasting.

©2012 John I. Blair