Mississippi Kite

Mississippi Kite

He was a Mississippi Kite

And he hunted over a field

He had the personality of a shrike

And a falcon’s sleek appeal

His pointed wings sped him

Just above the ground

He was as regal as an eagle

And rarely slowed it down

I discovered him in Illinois

And he could be named for it

Except someone named him long ago

And Mississippi would have a fit

He was really a special case

And a very beautiful sight

He reminded me of a kestrel

As I saw him flying by

I had not seen him in Texas

But that was before I birded

There were many species I had not seen

As I was a hunter unlearned

I feel fortunate to have seen him

Against the Illinois sky

But I’m in Texas living again

Where the cara cara has caught my eye