Ode to a Valley Cottage Woodpecker

At the break of Spring.
Saw this creature pecking.
A Spring woodpecker.
Vested in such bright colors.
Happily pecking away.

At a tall oak tree.
That stands majestically.
Posed in my front yard.
Reaching upwards to the sky.
With its fresh leaves sprouting out.

Woody Woodpecker.
Scouting for carpenter ants.
Pecking at the bark.
Pecking with such diligence.
Hunting for beetle larvae.

Hunting for berries.
And perhaps some sweet acorns.
Welcome to my home.
Enjoy all its benefits.
My oak tree is your harvest.

Woody Woodpecker.
How charming is your red crest.
Matches your black bill.
And your fine coat of feathers.
How handsome is your stature.

Saw your pair-toed feet.
Adaptable for climbing.
And for pecking wood.
Don’t mind if you wish to return.
You are certainly invited.

A true friend of trees.
Our ancestors did call you.
A “Forest Doctor.”
Freeing trees of such insects.
That are harmful to their lives.

Insects like termites.
All insects so destructive.
Others like aphids …
Unceasingly hard-working.
You work without much profit.

The doctor of trees.
Protector of our forest trees.
You give us comfort.
We can ignore your loud noise.
While pecking so skillfully.

Please come back again.
Hunting for all those insects.
To save our oak tree.
Infected with tree aphids.
Your visit is important.

As a forest bird.
Employed as Forest Doctor.
You save trees from pests.
Ecological wonder.
Studying trees to save them.

Thanks to Woodpeckers.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Thank you, Tree Doctor.
Ecological wonder.
Studying trees to save them.