Charles Brumfield writes

THE CAUSE OF IT ALL

The sky is blue.

The storm has passed

And rays of warm sunlight

Trickle through shimmering leaves of giant oaks

And twinkle in the moisture on the grass.

A sweet smell of cleanliness fills the air

Leaving a feeling of warmth and serenity

On such a fine spring day.

But what is this?

The peaceful scene is suddenly disturbed by shrieks of anger.

Beneath the ancient oak stand two mockingbirds

Ready to fight to the death.

Why?

A few feet away 

Stands the cause of it all, 

The lady mockingbird 

In boastful arrogance, head high, breast puffed.

Here are two knights in shining armor

Ready to engage in mortal combat

For the hand of the fair maiden.

Sounds of combat pierce the spring air

Like the war cries of ancient Huns.

But wait!

The commotion has disturbed someone, 

The beast of the forest who was sleeping peacefully

In the tall grass a few yards away.

Slowly the old cat rises to his feet

And gazes at the scene taking place under the tree.

His hungry eyes fix on the unnoticing lady

Contentedly watching her two heroes

Skipping about delivering painful blows with pointed beaks.

She does not see the crouching cat

As he creeps up slowly behind her.

He springs, she screeches,

And in one brief moment it is over.

The cat has devoured all but a few scattered feathers

And lies silently licking the blood from his paws.

The enemies are not fighting anymore.

They stopped and stood frozen

Watching the disappearance of their beloved prize.

They stand for a moment more, watching.

Then they take to wing

Side by side they fly off in the same direction.   

The cat is asleep again.

Silent warmth spreads through the air once more.

And the sky is blue.

Mocking birds -- Frans Vischer