American Nightingale Poem by Jerry Buckley

How proudly then, you wear the mantle;
'American Nightingale'.
Enter into evidence the royal crown,
the streamlined torso, the twitching tail.
Any living creature could be forgiven envy;
of such intelligence and beauty.

You perch, conspicuous outside my keep,
lording it over me.
Contrast my frailties to your enduring charms,
monogamy, audacity, unswerving loyalty.
Preaching social gospels to all you would embrace;
chastising those who should earn disgrace.

Well-placed within the scheme of things; strategic,
you stake your claim,
fixed and focused, in the face of changing climes.
In Darwinian nimbleness, you maintain
carnivorous, when convenient to your reasons;
yet vegetarian, in meaner seasons.

How rightly envied then, you lift toward heaven;
your heartfelt songs of praise,
in looping strains of replication.
In mimicry, your voice is raised.
No role is exempted from your repertoire,
no actor escapes your commentary.

Sensuous, serene, so sincere is your canto,
a tonic for your mate;
How wistful still, your plaintiff warble,
when the bough is empty, and the hour late.
Of all those that ply the heavens, I envy you alone.
Would that I could make your song, mine own.

'Voice of One' @ Jerry Buckley