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I found myself there filling.
Seeds from the seedy, unkempt, unshorn,
And yet still there most willing.
I scratch my stubble, and yawn, and moan,
And stretch a back that's aching.
A shuffling zombie, I'm twilight zoned,
So soon out after waking.
But I'm not alone, it startles me,
This voice from out the greenery:
"Chicka dee dee dee", said he, said he,
"Chicka dee. Dee dee? Dee dee?"
Now I'm wide awake, somewhat chagrinned,
At my unclean appearance
With my hair unwashed, my teeth sleep skinned,
And clothes that look like clearance.
For my companion is smartly dressed,
With fine black cap well fitting,
And his dapper greys upon his breast,
As about the leaves, he's flitting.
"I've brought your peanuts. I've brought cracked corn.
My sunflower seeds need shelling.
I've thistle and millet, so toot your horn,
Your slender ranks need swelling."
"Chicka dee dee dee." Said he, to me.
"I'll not spill seeds by singing,
All the more dee dee, for me, for me,
No other beaks need bringing!"
So out reached my hand, palm encumbered,
With sunflower seeds all brimming,
To entice my friend, with seeds unnumbered,
That set his eyes a-glimming.
"Chicka dee dee dee?" Asked he, of me,
"What fee-bee there for eating?"
"Little chickadee, the seed is free,
But my hand must be your seating."
So he approached me, though nervously,
My offer in his considering,
Chicking and chirping, querulously,
And on the verge of skittering.
But alack, alas, it came to pass,
When from me, was he, but inches,
He was distracted, though bold as brass,
By the song of feeding finches.
"Chicka dee dee dee!" said he "I flee,
As though on high winds gusting!
For the finches fare is also free,
And the feeder needs no trusting."
Though disappointed, I'm grateful still,
To witness nature's splendor,
So I'm contented, for its God's will,
That I should be their vendor.
Charles Seggelin