Typewriter Rodeo: Nesting Bluebirds

Each week, the Standard reaches out to Austin’s Typewriter Rodeo for a custom poem on Texas topics.

By Sean PetrieMay 20, 2022 10:25 am, , ,

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, three species of bluebirds make their homes in Texas during part of the year. Right now, you’re likely to see those pretty little birds building nests or caring for young. But don’t mix them up with their bigger, angrier cousins. This poem came by request from Texas Standard listener Chase Brooke.

Nesting Bluebirds

They are not to be confused
With their noisy cousins
The big and loud and screeching
Jays
Nope these are the smaller
Friendlier feathers
Content just to build
Their sturdy nests
Content just to help raise
Their young
No need to screech
At the world
No need to dive-bomb
At neighbors
To fight and divide the world
Between themselves
And everyone else

Perhaps
Next time you see
Those nesting bluebirds
Perhaps we could all
Take a cue —

Be less like the divisive
Flocks
And perhaps practice
A bit more of the softer
Kindness

A photo of the typewritten poem on a torn half sheet of yellowish paper. The paper is signed and stamped.

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