Birds and butterflies

by Pat Laster

5-2-12
a pair of bluebirds
the female bathing
in shallow water
~~~

5-4-12
Two crows
near the pecan
tree are divebombed and screamed
at by a mother mockingbird.
Even so,

they fly
up, disappear
into the tree. The bird
cries. I rush out and clap my hands.
They flee.
~~~

5-6-12
black butterfly
stopping at each lamb's ear bloom
then starting over
~~~

5-8-12
two brown thrashers
living up to their names
in the birdbath
~~~

5-12-12
mockingbird
lighting on the fallen
oak branch
~~~

5-18-12
Yellow
swallowtail sips
from the Easter lily
but goes back to the lamb's ear: bloom-
hopping!
~~~