It must have been learning to fly then,
the day I discovered that young sparrow
frightened and alone, helplessly chirping,
stranded on the metal stair to the upper floor
baking in the hot, mid-day summer sun.
Unable to discover the purpose of its wings
or perhaps injured in the attempt though
I could not detect any broken appendages
other than its spirit, shocked at harsh reality.
 
I too felt helpless in my desire to assist
and decided to give it some cool water
for thirst or comfort from the harsh sun
whichever it needed the most I could not tell
nor would ever discover its eventual fate
for when I checked later on, it was gone.
 
More likely they were borne on the wind or
dragged underfoot, landing haplessly on my porch
but the bits of twigs and scraps of food that
I occasionally found there the following spring
I liked to think were offerings of thanks
deposited there by that once helpless bird
who had survived to repay my one simple act.
 

06/06/2003

Posted on 07/21/2003
Copyright © 2025 David R Spellman