Some eight or nine years ago, I was walking with my old dog Szusza, when we came upon a neighbor's martin house. The martins had begun to arrive and the sparrows that had been using the house appeared to be getting pushed out. We watched this spectacle for a while and when I got back home I wrote the following poem. It was later published in a book of poems.

The Martins

By: Steven E. Jones

This morning, while taking my usual walk,

My serenity was jolted by flutter and squawk.

I looked up to see what the ruckus was about:

The martins had arrived – sparrows move out!

Each year at this time this scene is repeated,

Seems like the sparrows should claim they were cheated!

Maybe a protest, march on the town,

Hire a great lawyer of bombastic renown.

Their cause is timely, their cause is just,

Those martins are transients, not deserving of trust.

I think it’s an outrage, a travesty, a sham.

What we should have is a government program!

As the cause gains momentum, we’ll have a decree:

The sparrows deserve their own subsidy.

You martins, are selfish, it just isn’t fair,

You can’t have this house, unless you will share!

Now that should make an interesting mess

And maybe lose the martins due to the stress!

And what of the people? What of their woes?

They’re itching and scratching with all those mosquitoes!