04-11-2022, 10:12 AM
Ode to the Brown-Headed Cowbird
Now let us praise the wonderful
sagacity, philanthropy
and conservation values of
Brown-Headed Cowbirds whose
efficient style of living must
endear them to mere humans.
She wastes no straw in building nests
contributes her own eggs to those
of other birds and leaves her chicks
for foster mothering
and making winning ways in life
dispatching their false siblings.
But then we humans cry against
poor Cowbirds for their way of life
as if they had a choice in it
and find their lifestyle odious
as if no humans ever
did the like.
Now let us praise the wonderful
sagacity, philanthropy
and conservation values of
Brown-Headed Cowbirds whose
efficient style of living must
endear them to mere humans.
She wastes no straw in building nests
contributes her own eggs to those
of other birds and leaves her chicks
for foster mothering
and making winning ways in life
dispatching their false siblings.
But then we humans cry against
poor Cowbirds for their way of life
as if they had a choice in it
and find their lifestyle odious
as if no humans ever
did the like.
Non-practicing atheist