Spring melancholy—
 
every melon seed I sow
 
fails to germinate.

 
 
 

Christmas Eve journey—
 
tramping to the bird feeder,
 
I bear gifts of seed.

 
 
 

Two white-crowned sparrows
 
vie for one sunflower seed
 
at the bird feeder.

 
 
 

On my outstretched hand
 
a little brown sparrow lands—
 
sunflower-seed treats.

 
 
 

With no seeds to sow,
 
I’ll have a barren garden—
 
empty sweet corn rows.

 
 
 

Christmas Eve concert:
 
birds at the empty feeder
 
clamor for more seeds.

Juncos

 
 
 

one sunflower seed
 
beneath the red bird feeder—
 
juncos vie for lunch