Red WIng Black Bird

The Redwing Blackbird was the first bird I learned to recognize, for some reason. Other kids took the easy path of learning robins, or owls or other common brands. I held out for the marsh exotica, the flash of oriental lacquered contrast among the cattails. This week I heard its song described as the "creak of a rusty hinge" and I never loved it more. Croak gruffly in your Dominican robes and scarlet cowl, my speck, my alarm, my old friend.