The mistle thrush

The mistle thrush with its
           pale grey-brown upperparts
a greyish-white chin and throat
           and black spots on its pale yellow
and off-white underparts
           builds an open cup nest
which it fiercely defends
           against all comers :
its melodious fluted whistle
           carries far and wide
no matter how wet
           and windy the weather

Stormcock screech
           shrite gawthrush it goes
by many noms de plume
           For its love of the mistletoe
Erasmus termed it
           author of its own demise
Erasmus in praise of madness
           long gone

John Lyons