Giving

Every day in the park,

he shared.

Scattered crumbs,

the happy chirruping

of his fellow party goers

a symphony to his ears;

whilst at his feet, leaves swirled

in approval, becoming alive again.

Passing by, there were those 

that understood,

those that didn't.

But all nodded a greeting,

somehow assured

by his metronomic presence;

the lightness of feathers

surrounding him like a halo,

'It rained today,' someone said

to someone else, their footfall
receding as time slipped.
'Bit of a chill in the air,

but he was still there.'

'Yes, he must be lonely,'

came the reply from someone

who didn't understand.

'Still, as long at is makes

him happy, and the birdsong
is rather pleasant.'

Then, one day, early autumn,

as shadows lengthened

and days became shorter,

he wasn't there.

A puzzle to those who

didn't understand;

especially when the birds

still chirruped and the

leaves swirled, as if waiting.  

'I expect he's passed away,'

someone said to someone else

after a week had gone by.

'He was pretty old wasn't he.'

"Yes, but he was never lonely,'

someone who understood replied.

'Giving does that for you.'

Reviews

[gram linski]

loved the unfolding of this, the reader is drawn in to understanding, thanks for giving this great poem

[McEltic]

I enjoyed this piece today.... reminds me of summertime as I love sit on the front porch and voice trivial opinions about the weather and such to passers by and occasionally role over some neighbourhood gossip.

[Dave Brown]

As a feeder of birds, I quite relate to this
As an observer of the many wayward souls in our area, I see many fade away, as tho they never existed.
This also reminds me of a tour driver in Hawaii, who, on getting out of his limo, would hold his arms open to the birds, and they would be all over him.
I guess I am too generous to our birds because they have not yet felt the need to actually land upon me, knowing they will be fed, no matter what

[Paul Bell]

You only miss people when they're gone.
We all do it, we never question it, never look to find out why.
What a story we might have gained if we just struck up a conversation.

[Fran Marie]

A lovely story within
this poem..a tad sad
but. .i do believe
the giver always has
the most joy; and gladdens
the heart. for to give is also
to receive


well written
and expressed

[Robert Trakofler]

what a poetic picture you painted here beautiful Beccy truly a lovely meditational embrace for my first sips of coffee this morning:) thank you

[Sami Khalil]

We only keep what we give and or share. Your story goes beyond to showing compassion even to our feathery friends. Birds teach us a lot and they do brighten our skies as your poetry does. Nice wording and dialogue Beccy...

[Sami Khalil]

"Then, one day, early autumn,
as shadows lengthened
and days became shorter,
he wasn't there."

[Neville]

This is a little bit more than just a little bit special..