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Garden Hummer Conundrum

Poor Ruby Hummer looks confused, searching for her favorite feeder. It was right there when it last was used, in September, in the cedar. Above the Bee-balm and Lobelia, in my pollinator garden, so sorry, Ruby, yes I feel ya, and I truly beg your pardon. I’m late this May, you came so soon from your Yucatan vacation. 2000 miles from your lagoon, a miraculous migration. 500 miles without a stop o’er the Gulf, you must be famished. A marvel that you didn’t drop, and now your feeder’s vanished! ‘twas just last week we had some snow, a freakish mid-Spring specter. Please be patient, please don’t go, I’ll brew you up some nectar. Meanwhile, check the Columbines while I go and fetch the feeder. And don’t forget your Trumpet Vines that grow behind the cedar. Come grace my garden, cheer my heart, you’re my favorite garden guest. It’s time to fatten up and start to build the family nest. Nest materials, soft and pliable, give shelter from the storms. Next Spring I will be more reliable, I’ll institute reforms. June 2020 Garden Contest sponsored by Constance La France

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Suzanne Delaney

Date: 5/11/2022 4:06:00 AM

This is a charming reminder for me to make some sugar water for our hummers. I have been thinking they should be arriving any day now. Your garden sounds an enchanting place….thanks for your visit to my poems. I haven’t checked in to the Soup in a while so much appreciated. SuZ

Eric Cohen
Date: 5/11/2022 7:58:00 PM

Mine came even earlier this year in late April. I think global warming. I worry that they may move on if I'm too slow but I was able to quickly put the feeder up and they found it right away. Thanks for stopping by, SuZ.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 7/26/2020 9:25:00 PM

Hello Eric ... I must say I am impressed with your verse Eric. It has a feel good insight to offer an aviary without restriction. All birds should be free, and we'll always have them if we help provide - thank you Eric - Lindsay

Eric Cohen
Date: 7/27/2020 11:04:00 AM

I really appreciate that, Lindsay. Thanks for stopping by. You've got lots of fans up here in the Northern Hemisphere and I'm a big one. Eric

Eric Boddie

Date: 6/29/2020 2:59:00 PM

that was amazin....im talking about the invasion....you composed these words together with precision....i dont care that much for birds, but i still wanted to listen....now that is talent as i understand it....your craft is NICE, and i like how you command it....great job eric....

Eric Cohen
Date: 6/29/2020 3:23:00 PM

Wow, I appreciate the kind words. Sometimes the best thing is to be recognized by another true poet. I've looked at your stuff now and you are quite talented. I left you a comment on one of them.

Constance La France

Date: 6/18/2020 5:30:00 PM

Eric, congratulations on your win in my garden contest with this delightful poem _Constance

Eric Cohen
Date: 6/18/2020 5:50:00 PM

Thank you, Constance. In case you were wondering, "Ruby" is still at my backyard feeder this year. Hummers are amazing birds with exceptional memories for food locations, and will return each year but will move on if their source is not reliable. I think I have her mate and offspring as well!

Juliet Ligon

Date: 6/14/2020 9:01:00 PM

Clever rhymes.

Eric Cohen
Date: 6/14/2020 9:57:00 PM

Thanks for stopping by and reading, Juliet.

Aditi Mishra

Date: 6/13/2020 6:54:00 PM

This is really creative and engaging Eric. I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. Congratulations on your win :)

Eric Cohen
Date: 6/13/2020 10:05:00 PM

Many thanks for the kind comment, Aditi. This story was a true one (more or less … some poetic license, but Ruby really did look confused; humming birds have excellent memories of food source locations and are known to visit the same feeders after migrating). And congrats again on your excellent poems, which I have been enjoying.