An Imagined Goodbye

It is all I can do now but wait, and watch Her plump crimson belly rise n fall Like a ruptured bellow She squats defeated on her perch Feathers splayed, hiding her tiny claws – clutching Her perch is sturdy, yet deformed in its peculiar way As branches are; in nature’s own unique way Perhaps she has considered this deformity reflects The nature of her disability For she shunned the new perfectly doweled perch from day one Preferring to sit upon her crooked stick Her little black eyes blink then rest in a half open stare Watching me as I fuss inside her cage I watch her beak slowly open and close, imagining she’s trying to speak Are her silent words at the heart of her imagination? Do I hear her say goodbye? Have I been selfish in ignoring her past? Her life before the accident… So I gently offer my finger as a temporary perch A palliative gesture, a sign of compassion – tender recognition She blinks again and her eyes remain closed What is she thinking, my little friend for so long Inside her silent pain I recall the Vet’s final words “There is nothing more I can do, I’m sorry…” I recall the time we met At the foot of our glass window Your dusty smudge imprinted upon the glass Your broken body not far away I nursed you back to health Encouraged you to fly Yet crippled, you became part of the family Part of our little world I don’t recall the moment she hopped on my finger I only remember wandering amongst those memories Tangible to another being, loved just so I don’t recall the moment she lay down Her little crimson belly stained with the tears Of so many years Tears I now recall I heard her say “goodbye…” Brian Johnston’s Poetry Contest - Challenge Title 'Words - The Heart of Imagination? 23 Oct. 2014