CherryTree

Cherry Tree

By Nina Zhan

I sat watching the cardinals perched in my cherry tree

So many they out-numbered the many leaves

Their feathers and crest matching the rosy fruits

Stuffing the cherries in their tiny beaks

They came and came with fruit to borrow

“Oh look!” they said in sprightly mood

“Let’s feast on some cherries on our journey to fly!”

So they flounced and sang and landed on my cherry tree

My feathered friends had such a treat

They kept nibbling and gobbling my ripened red fruits

I grew that tree for many years

What friends and joy that it had brought

They ate and ate until their bellies were plump

They found a new home to stay at last

Shining red feathers like stripes on candy cane

Broken in half and meant to be shared

So now winter is here, goodbye my friends, the birds

Protecting my cherry tree frozen with snow

Spring will arrive, the birds will come

Dancing and singing in lively mood...