The rumble and roar and loud beeping noise
Traffic and planes and machinery grinding
If that was all I could hear when walking outside
My ears would wish to be in a quiet place
To find somewhere to enjoy listening closely
Away from human commerce and commotion
Able to hear the subtle sounds in nature
Especially the birds calling and their sweet songs
This is where I find my everyday happiness
Having learned to identify the individual species
Excited when hearing an unfamiliar phrase
Getting a glimpse and discovering the bird
All this was always there unknown to me
Until I became interested in the particular details
Seen only if you look and pay attention
Heard only if you recognize the patterns
My hearing range somewhat limits what I can hear
As is also true for my partner in the field
But our gaps complement for more complete coverage
Alerting each other to certain high and low notes
There are songs heard only in breeding season
That must be remembered again each year
And songs that change by the time of day
Between morning foraging and evening roost
There's so much information that could be shared
But words cannot convey the delightful experience
Being in the presence of a thrush or veery or a meadowlark
Or any of the songs and the sight of feathered beauty
