Neopoet.com

It needs some personification -

Absent-minded, I
pictured a little boy
standing before me years ago,
learning from a father
largely so unlike him,
how to feed the squirrels
and the birds
that find me here.

And I must have smiled,
recognizing him here
again with his own son,
pressing a fresh ear of corn
down my spike he had equipped
upon the pin oak near their window
like his father had done
so many years before him.

Not trying to re-write, just offering suggestions to take or leave as you wish.

I like the passage of time and ritual from father to son. It makes me think of my husband with our little boy. Little things that some would take for granted are remembered for years when they are transformed into tradition.

Thanks, Rob.

Best,
Ronda

I will definitely revise, as your thoughtful suggestion shows how far the current version is from succeeeding. The second stanza will be something like this:

And I must have grinned
To recognize myself,
As I pushed a fresh ear
Of corn down on the spike
With which I had equipped
The pin oak near our window,
So like my father before me.

Thanks, Ronda!

I love this piece, Rob!
Ronda

Thanks, and thanks again for your help!