On a hot July day
a hummingbird lands on green wire
scaffolding for the cherry tomatoes
in my courtyard garden.
It is one of his favorite spots
and I am always glad
for his company.
Today the mister is on
and the fine spray wets him
as he preens.
He pokes his long slender beak into his back
shuffles and fluffs his moist feathers
again and again.
When I speak to him
he tilts his head
looks my way
seems to listen.
The sunlight catches his throat.
His patch of scarlet flashes
iridescent
gemlike.
He sits there for a long time
looking around.
I get so much pleasure
in these pauses.
I think because he is so intense in flight
a keen blur of motion
seeing him at rest
becomes extraordinary.
[Editor’s note: Photograph of Anna’s Hummingbird © Garret Lau from: http://www.pbase.com/garrettlau/image/91069951.]
No Holds Barred 