Little Yellow Songbird by Douglas Young

Walking late one winter afternoon, 

I suddenly heard a lovely tune; 

Looking for where the source could be, 

I realized it came from a tree. 

As I drew closer, how its volume soared 

With the same notes repeated, never bored; 

But, looking above, the branches appeared bare, 

For not one living creature could I spy there. 

Then, to my astonishment, did I see 

A tiny bird at the top of the tree; 

This loud singer was such a little fellow: 

So intense, determined, and jet bright yellow. 

All alone, he kept belting out bars, 

Ignoring me to look toward the stars; 

It mattered not at all how small he might seem -- 

He was on a mission, and it was to sing. 

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Born in Bartow, Florida in 1961, Dr. Douglas Young was reared a faculty brat in Athens, Georgia before becoming a full-time professional nerd himself. He taught political science and history at Gordon College in Barnesville, Georgia from 1987 to 1999. He then taught at Gainesville State College in Gainesville, Georgia from 1999 to 2013, and he taught at the University of North Georgia-Gainesville from 2013 to the end of 2020 where he also advised UNG’s multiple award-winning Politically Incorrect and Chess Clubs. His essays and poems have appeared in a variety of publications, and his first novel, Deep in the Forest, is set to be published in 2021.