Hummingbird Come Home

Fluorescent magenta and neon green,
She fluttered with flair for her mid-morning greet,
Atop a rounded rim, sipping a fructose drink,
Then kissed the petunias with nimble beak,

Every June day she came reliably,
I grew to know her as my friend,
In grace, she swayed elegantly,
Yet neurotically, but still an inspiration.

Until one morning Her Majesty did not show,
As my coffee ran dry and biscuit crumbled,
Too early to pack up for Mexico,
And her friends' feathers flickered in eager bumble.

For one long week she was away,
The pit placed and the heart strings twanged,
While weeping under the willow, I spotted past the walkway,
Her gulping the Red nectar next door, estranged.

"Little hummingbird, please come home!
The Red nectar is sweet but dishonest; poison!
Manufactured dye brings the unknown!
Your fate is still Pure and Clear with your kin!"

Her head temporarily tweaked, but beady eyes blank,
She did not comprehend, was too far away,
So I asked my love, I even begged,
To tell the neighbor to can that wicked cabernet.

He went over sleepily, in beard and White robe,
James Meeker in the field, harvesting wheat,
"Jim, your artifical nectar has to go,
Here are apples from the Grove and Manino's Market meat."

Jim put his Sickle down to grab the items,
He was cold and cynical, but liked to Bargain,
"I enjoy watching the birds outside the den,
But will cave if you throw in your infamous mandarins."

* * * * * * * * *

My hummingbird got to come home.
Freed from the Red nectar's trance,
She tweeted and hummed in melodic tones,
With friends grateful for a Second Chance.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Mandarins for getting rid of the poison nectar....that's a deal.

And we are all a bit Neurotic i think....the only thing is we humans can't fly backwards in time...
so regrets cannot be undone...
wonderful piece,
j.

[VelvetPotato]

Yes, it was an interesting trade! If only we could fly backwards and undo our mistakes.

[Marina]

Such a lovely tale weaved here, Velvet, no doubt with a hidden moral message contained within. We sometimes find ourselves attracted to something new and exciting that unbeknownst to us can be potentially threatening. This reads like a children's tale and one I am sure they would enjoy. I enjoyed the tale and the natural rhyming verse. 💛

[VelvetPotato]

Thank you for your kind words, Marina!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

How often our senses are deceived and our instincts betrayed by the artificial in search of the genuine. Delightful read and I enjoyed the entirety. Thank you for sharing your poetry here. Good writing, F.

[VelvetPotato]

That means a lot. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my work, F.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I enjoyed reading your cute colorful poem. A whimsical treat of art. It's been a while I seen a hummingbird in these parts of Nor Calif. It's probably because most of the land is on fire here. Thank you for sharing your poem.

[VelvetPotato]

Thanks for taking the time to read my work, Carlos! I'm sorry CA is on fire. I live in CO and these last few days have been covered in smog from the CA and OR wildfires. :( wish it would stop.

[Chris Shaw]

Beautifully narrated, rich in colour and visuals. A story with a happy ending Velvet. We don't have hummingbirds over here, but I have seen them on wild life programmes. I too love looking at the birds that grace my garden. Being closer to nature is good for the soul. Pleased not to have missed this one.

Chris

[VelvetPotato]

Thank you for your kind review, Chris. I'm sure you would love the hummingbirds!