I took my coffee to the porch

To sit and gaze awhile

It wasn't very long at all

My sleepy face began to smile.

I saw this redheaded woodpecker land

High in the top of this peach tree so round

Peck, peck, pecking on this one ripe peach

How could he do this, upside down?

With my binoculars, I could see

Him clinging to the branch by his feet so strong

But how can he swallow when upside down?

I know what I saw!  I am not wrong!

When he finished, he took off in flight

To my old oak tree where he's often seen

There he pecked a little more

Before he flew and left the scene.

Vina Carathers

June 25, 2001

Copyright © 2001 Bessie Carathers