Midnight singing

Three times I stopped to keenly listen
Wondering, were my ears hearing right
So again I checked the clock to verify
That indeed it was midnight

Yes, I was comfortably lying in bed
But outside and I was sure up in tree
Were a pair of mocking birds
Singing away with might and glee

It was such a strange sound to hear
Though not the tune and melody
For these were not nocturnal birds
Nor do I recall that nigh birds do sing

They belted out music resplendent with joy
That could not wait for the light of day
Matters not if outside was dark or light
Fulfilled happiness cannot be delayed

Content and with nothing to fear
What expression of joy and cheer
Could it be you were too happy to sleep?
Or were you tired of counting sheep?

And then in the brightness of morning light
coinciding with the sun rising in it's glory
There rang the cry of concern and distress
That of a mother bird calling for a wayward nestling

While away in the distance
There continued the sound of a happy song
For the light of day did not lessen the thrill
Of excess joy and happiness that spilled

© Prince W Bradford (words & photo) 2016 

The Poinciana Tree

What shall I compare to a rose? 
Although it is adorned with thorns
And oh the aromatic fragrance of the night jasmine
Pervading the air until the early morn
Yet for me the most beautiful thing to see 
Are the blossoms on the Poinciana trees

I sometime gets heady listening to the bees
Buzzing by the thousands in the blooming Otaheiti apple trees
Or for season seeing suspended colors 
And forgetting theses are flowers on a tree
But none compare to the diversity of colors
On a blossoming Poinciana tree

Flowers in the gardens bloom so bright
Or covering the fields seem so right
Blossoms on tress are a special delight
Beauty that cannot be hidden by the dark of night
But even the blind stop to admire and see 
The blossoms on the Poinciana trees

Poem and photo © Prince W Bradford