by Mark Weinrich

The mockingbird was perched
atop a wall of shrubs, like a
figurehead on a ship’s bow.

Its serenade drew us like
a crowd to a concert stage.
Though the singer showed 
no interest or need for applause.

Head back and throat swelled
he poured out his soul
song after song, a vivacious
repertoire of whistles, chirps, 
and fluted trills. Without 
intermission his exuberance
flooded the park with
merry music. 

His songs were lyric bouquets, 
the best of his courtship presentation. 
And he would sing into 
and through the night 
waiting for his lady.

He mans the post, giving his
all, to fill his niche in the world.
Singing to draw just one, and 
she the only one who matters.

What if we worshiped the Lord
with such desperate delight?
Would the wonder of our love
change lives in our niche
of this world?

Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 130 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.