TREE-TRUNK BIRDS 
And the honour that is due me; 
But if you would interview me 
Call me any name you please, 
I’m “‘at home” among the trees. 
Yet I never cease my labours 
To receive my nearest neighbours, 
And ’twill be your best enjoyment 
Just to view me at employment. 
I’m the friend of every sower, 
Useful to the orchard grower, 
Helping many a plant and tree 
From its enemies to free — 
They are always food for me. 
And I like dessert in reason, 
Just a bit of fruit in season, 
But my delicacy is ants, 
Stump or hill inhabitants; 
Thrusting in my sticky tongue, 
So I take them, old and young. 
Surely, we have found the best 
Place wherein to make our nest 
Tunnel bored within a tree, 
Smooth and clean as it can be, 
Smallest at the door, 
Curving wider toward the floor, 
Every year we make a new one, 
Freshly bore another true one; 
Other birds, you understand, 
Use our old ones, second-hand — 
Occupying free of rent, 
They are very well content. 
To my wife I quite defer, 
I am most polite to her, 
Bowing while I say, “‘ kee-cher.” 
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