The Hummingbird Named Brutus

[d.knape]

A Hummingbird comes to our feeder now
always on schedule

we have taken quite a liking to him
and when he is late, we worry

for who cannot be dazzled
by the sight of a Hummingbird
whose amazing flight
is a miracle to behold

we marvel at the beauty of its fluorescent colors
the size of its long black bill
the ease of its maneuvering

the Hummingbird has bird competition
yet even though it is so slight a bird
its smallness does not compromise its bravery

he boldly drives off all intruders
with precise fighter pilot tactics
displaying ferocity ten times its size
(hence the name, Brutus)

he likes to sit on the hook of the feeder pole
surveying his domain like a regal monarch
scanning his kingdom of flower and tree
ever watchful for enemies of his realm
(who knew that a Hummingbird would actually sit still)

the Hummingbird is a marvelous creation
an amazing combination of beauty and speed
it makes US seem small in comparison

we poor listless men
born without wings or swiftness
so clumsy on our earthbound feet
wish only we were Hummingbirds

that we too might know the feel of flight
and leave behind a more joyful place
wherever we have been.


~d.knape

[Steve Plonk]

Really appreciated this poem, D. Knape. The pastoral quality of it really gets me.
We, too, have hummingbird feeders and put them out around early August.
The hummingbird is such an amazing creature.