Two Poems by Mark Weinrich

MOCKINGBIRD LOVE

What a plain yet passionate troubadour.
One thought of her flames his inspiration.
He will learn two hundred songs and more,
All to claim the prize of her affection. 
How he hopes she will find him cavalier
As he sings by day, and long into night
He will not quit with thought she’s drawing near
What dream come true to meet at morning’s light.

Still, he fills the air with lyric bouquets,
Notes bright and clear with promised devotion.
“Come my love and be cherished every day.”
Finally, almost drained of emotion.
She settles next to him, air still as death,
Not a single note, she’s stolen his breath.

TUNING A BROOK

When a stream by summer’s end becomes a brook, 
it must grow tired in task of bearing down. 
It needs the lifting boost of heavy rain, 
for Spring runoff is months and months away.
Its light still reflects its leafy neighbors, 
but the soloist has almost lost her voice.

It’s hard for kids to understand this change.
When it’s not wide enough to skip a stone.
So, with pants rolled up we wade and build a dam. 
We laugh and splash and watch the water rise
And hear the ripples play again in song
Not bold, but sweet on this August afternoon. 

Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist–all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 135 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books.