La Chuparrosa
The Phoenix sun rises over the
small garden as a buzzing green jewel
flits and hovers, his home the scented air.
The Hispanic gardener stops his tedious work
to watch, as I do, on my own way to the
air— scented and perilous.
He asks the name of the bird in English.
I tell him, and ask the Spanish name.
“Chuparrosa,” he says.
I repeat it over and
over in my mind.
Having exchanged our native
names for this mysterious creature
who carries prayers as well as sweet nectar,
I thread my way through the thin quavering
morning, the knot of anxiety loosening slightly.
Insubstantial, hollow, dreading every next step—
I hold on, white-knuckled, to the nearly
unbearable desire for home.
And I think, what a sweet sad
note for a life to end on:
a small beautiful thing shared in the
garden, the sun rising.
A small, secret thing.
Green hummingbird in the early morning light—
soon I will be hovering in the air, the sun
reflecting off my shining skin.
I know I will not die, though some twisted thing
inside me insists differently.
And I know that anything can carry the
weight of significance, hovering in what seems
to be the shadow of death—
even this little bird
in this brief moment.
2
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Wow, I love this! So poignant. Even at times when we feel most insecure, it is the little things that can anchor us and demonstrate the beauty of fleeting moments.
StJohn
Level 6
June 12, 2018
1
Thank you. And yes, the little things can make a difference.
"Rose-sucker" - what a wonderful name. And an intriguing write. I think that this prose would do well if it were shared with the Authors, Editors, Publishers and Readers group.
Petter
Level 9
June 12, 2018
2
Hadn't thought of that.
This seems very personal, almost like whispering to oneself.
tioteo
Level 8
June 12, 2018
3
It sort of is. I was suffering from a fear of flying at the time, and had to fly home from Phoenix that morning. I was dreading it, but that little exchange happened, and put my mind elsewhere for a bit.
Could be the prelude to a fantasy adventure novel. Good write
azzow2
Level 9
June 12, 2018
2
Thank you.
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