So many birds

As the sun changes its course to fall, I wonder about the birds still hanging out: the robins, the herons, the red-winged blackbirds.  Why do they stay?  Sure it*s still pretty warm, but don*t they notice the signals that mean winter is coming?

So many birds

Have missed their ticket south.

They have

Lulled themselves into complacency

By occasional warmth;

Slept through

One or two frosts;

The fall change of light

Goes unnoticed.

The birds should have gone

By now.

The herons pretend the water

Will never freeze.

The robins still chirp in the trees,

Look for worms.

The red winged blackbirds

Have missed the season change.

They fill trees

As if they will never

Have to leave.

I would like

To shoo them south.

It*s time

It*s time

The light has changed.

There is potential frost

At night.

All too soon the water

Will freeze solid.