On Seeing Greenfinches Poem by Francis Duggan

On the beach near where the Hopkins to the ocean crawl on this afternoon in May
Bright sunshine in a sky of blue on this lovely Autumn day
A small flock of greenfinches fed on scattered seed by the trees on the foreshore
Their kin birds I saw years ago in the woods of Claramore.

Just seeing the green birds took me to places far away
When the meadows scented sweetly with the scent of Summer hay
Far north of here as I remember they too gathered in small flocks in late Fall
Their twittering songs I do remember and their habits I do recall.

I remember in May in their northern breeding Season the male birds took to wing
And fluttering like butterflies above their territories did sing
Perhaps 'twas their courtship display and proclaiming territory
A thing of natural beauty for to live in memory.

Near where the Hopkins River to the Pacific slowly flow
A small flock of greenfinches I did see took me to the long ago
When I was younger and fitter and in my manhood's prime
And that was many Summer's ago and many years in time.