stupid mockingbird

On an early autumn morning
When the sun was coming out,
A mockingbird alighted
With intents devout,
For all the birds had gathered
And fluttered all about.

For the time for love had come
And new chicks would soon be hatched,
But the mockingbird sighed alone
Because she was not yet matched.

The mockingbird surveyed the
Vast array of birds,
Curiously tilting her head
In search of someone she preferred.
She called out to the expanse
Of feathers and talons,
Hoping she would have a chance,

And no sooner had she sung
Than she saw the perfect bird
A scarlet cardinal who was cocky and young
With dark and sparkling eyes.

Fluffing up her feathers,
And chirping in delight,
The mockingbird decided
That she'd be perfectly polite.
She flew over happily
And cocked her head to the side
And whistled a sweet little tune
That implored that she become his bride.

But cardinal turned his back on her
And stuck his beak high in the air,
For she didn't fit his tastes
And for her chiming voice he didn't care.

In a second flat he had flown
To a flowering brach high above
To croon to a prettier a bird--
An ethereal white and dainty dove.
The mockingbird watched in sorrow
And turned away to fly home
Because maybe tomorrow
Another bird would come along.

When she had finally found her mate,
A cheery little parakeet,
She was quite happy, don't forget
But somehow she felt incomplete.
While flying through the air
In lattice patterns with her love
The mockingbird was reminded
Of the cardinal and his flawless dove.

She felt like she was royalty
When her parakeet was near her,
For he treated her with utmost care
As though she were some priceless treasure.
The mockingbird flew far with
Her handsome parakeet,
Until he was shot to the ground
And landed at a hunter's feet.

For he'd thrown himself in front of her
In attempts to save his wife
For she meant more to him
Than his own shortened life.
It was then that the mockingbird's heart
Was filled clear to the brim,
For now she finally realized
What she meant to him.

She loved the parakeet more
Than any cardinal or bird
And she wanted to be very sure
Her song in his memory was heard.
She sang a pitiful melody
Because at long last, now she knew,
That sparing her life and losing his own
Wasn't something the cardinal would do.