Beautiful Gentle Rain - Jan. 23, 2024

mockingbirds shower

just like you and me

arms and fingers raised

rinsing off the mud splatters

the dust and sandy grit

the un-napkined meals

but without any loofa 

soap or singing

like some of you that practice

as the cascading water

bends the echoes of your offkey

into a private musical smile

this bird will project his voice

publicly   under tonight’s moon

ignore the opinions of others

with one or two damp feathers

yet to show a clean new light