A Bird Anonymous

Pretty little bird

I see you up high, perched, and unstill

Ruffling brown feathers, ruffling black tail

Perhaps you’re itching, I do not know

Looking up, guarded

Looking down at me, guarded still

Silhouetted against the sky blue

The sun shining on you

What you think of me, I do not know

But you chirp, not singing, but chirping

Maybe at a mate, maybe at your young

Maybe still, at your frustration

Truth is, I do not know

Standing tall, tail bobbing up and down

Breast puffed, neck stretched

And eyes bright, looking this way and that

Jumpy, excited, maybe worried

I want to, but I do not know

Finally, suddenly, flaps of wing on wing,

Quick and rhythmic, musical

And off you go, maybe bored

Maybe miffed I didn’t chirp back

Maybe I’m not good company, I do not know

I catch myself – a void now covers me

Alone, with a wistful sigh

And a smile embarrassed

Over a mind lost on a bird anonymous

Why, although I try, I do not know. 

Picture credit: Inhabitat.com