She perches
atop the hummingbird feeder
at my kitchen window
Mama Bluebird
haven’t seen her in a while
she keeps a low profile
when new fledglings
are about
I think she’s playing defense
watching me
watching her
(bluebirds are
ferocious guardians)
until I see
her open beak
she doesn’t close it
I’ve never seen
such behavior
before
from any bird
I look it up
she’s suffering
from the heat
trying to
cool off
birds can’t sweat
she stays on this perch
watching me
watching her
I sense a plea…
I take a cup
run a little water
at the kitchen sink
carry it out
into the drought
(she flies away)
pour it on the top
of the hummingbird feeder
(it’s really meant
to be an ant moat)
and as soon as I return
to the kitchen
I see she’s back
sipping
sipping
sipping
she stays a good while
perched
parched
until she’s refreshed enough
to close her beak again
and fly
maybe back
to help her children
all I know
is that my soul
(sometimes just as parched)
rejoices
that I was able
to provide
this little oasis
when I have felt
so utterly unable
to ease
the longsuffering
of others
Thank you
Mama Bluebird
for refreshing
me
******
with thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
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lit bits and pieces 
Fran, once again we are both writing about birds today. How apt to relate the parchedness of soul to parched birds in this heat. Every day I come in and say thank goodness for A/C. I do believe birds are smart enough to communicate with us and make their needs known, especially bluebirds and hummingbirds and crows. There is something deeply satisfying about your post – the least of these, thy brethren – there is great reward in taking care of another living being. She picked the right place to ask for help. She knew you’d notice – – she knows you watch!
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I love how your poem draws me in to the scene. I was worried there would be no resolution. I’ve never thought of using a hummingbird feeder for just water. Now I want to try it with my little bird haven.
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So, this week i heard a clattering at the window and – lo and behold! – a house finch was on top of the hummingbird feeder! A first! Was she copying Mama Bluebird? I read somewhere that house finches will do this – they will watch the braver bluebird and follow suit. Guess what-? As I am writing this, she returned! Just now! Yesterday I looked it up and learned a new thing: House finches love nectar. Who knew??? Another post in the making…
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Glad you could provide a refreshing drink of water for the bird and be refreshed, too, in doing so. You were observant and proactive…. I imagine you are the same trying to help people. It is hard when we feel unable to help.
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Beautiful poem, Fran. I love the play of perched and parched and souls needing healing. Thank you for being a good samaritan.
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Fran, what a beautiful poem. I love how you share your faith and spirit through this poem about the bluebird. I did not know that a bird with an open beak means they are trying to find a way to cool off. Provocative poem!
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Fran, oh, what a beautiful story. I love how you compare your own soul to the parched bird. I’m so glad you took time to learn what that open beak meant, and that you shared it with us too. Lovely poem that says so very much with few words.
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