East Texas Serenade

Thomas Hemminger

October 8, 2023

We have a nighttime choir 

that sings for us down on the farm. 

On a clear night, they’ll start up 

just after dark. 

When we’ve had our supper, we’ll 

take a seat in a front porch rocker, 

as they’re probably just warming up. 

We settle in, and 

chat about the day. 

A prelude of evening bats

squeak around the sky,

swooping and snatching. 

Then, the main performance begins. 

It starts with a solo, then a duet. 

Soon, a chorus of coyotes are 

shouting in the lunar spotlight. 

We speculate about their subject matter. 

A fine hunt. A stranger in the air. 

Who really knows? 

Deep down, I think 

they’re just happy.

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others, and of giving them their own space and grace to grow.