Machine Cooties

The Defendant — Sings at Dawn — The Mockingbird — appropriates — Each Neighbor’s melody — As if the Sky — were Public Domain — And Song — were Currency — But Robins — filed a quiet suit — And Jays — a stern Complaint — The Court convened — in Maple shade — With Judgment — resonant — Now — when he lifts his borrowed Voice — The Echo — testifies — That even Warble — must retain — A Counsel — and a Claim —

Trial of the Song Snatcher The mockingbird was quite the cad, He stole each tune that others had. The robin’s trill, the blackbird’s call, He pilfered them — he pinched them all. The courtroom filled with feathered rage, They sued him right off center stage. He tried to argue, tried to fight, But lawyers sang with louder might. So now, bereft of stolen tricks, He only hums elevator music.

Litigious Lament of a Feathered Defendant The mockingbird, a plagiarist of feather, Thought every tune was his to tether. He stole the robin’s trill, the jay’s loud jeer, The nightingale’s aria, the sparrow’s cheer. But lo! the court of avian law Declared his conduct deeply flawed. “Originality!” the judge did squawk, “You can’t just steal the other birds’ talk!” So now he sings in legalese, A medley of apologies. He warbles still — but now, alas, Each chorus needs a lawyer’s pass.