Why Hen Birds Don’t Warble
Among the leaves, the limbs and branches birds
Are singing. Everywhere these creatures perch
Cocks make their sounds. The pulsing throats send words
To others of their kind, from oak and birch
And fence and hedgerow, saying, “Stop! This place
Is mine!” The whistling isn’t really song.
It’s just a message saying, “Hey! This space
Is claimed, you guys. This is where I belong.”
The babbling isn’t poetry. It’s just
An arrogation for territory.
It’s more like other male birds being cussed.
It lacks the qualities of glory.
..That’s why, perhaps, the females do not sing
…..But let the male birds do their aggro thing.