Vivian Brazier | + Follow Poet |
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The Birds

I looked out the window, what a sight.
A Cocky a crow, a Magpie all sitting on the bench looking towards me.
Suddenly the Cocky squawked what sounded like ' what you doing?'
No i had heard it wrong hadn't i? 
I cant believe my ears. 
Next time i looked they had gone.
The next day i left a treat one for each sitting on the seat. I looked again at lunchtime and the 3 birds were there.
Again i did exactly the same and all 3 appeared.
On day four i got busy and forgot to leave the treat.
I was in the laundry doing washing and i heard tapping on the door. I went to answer it but no-one was there then i felt something at my feet. It was the Cocky how delightful and then it squawked 'whatyadoing?' and flew over to the other 2 waiting on the seat. I went and got them some crackers and gently approached the seat but Crow and maggie a little timid flew of to the nearest tree.
Cocky stayed and took the cracker straight from my hands and i put one each on the seat for the others and walked back inside. 
By the time i looked out the window they had all gone including the crackers.
Well every day from then on i made it a habit to leave them a treat.
 Then one morning i went to the seat and there was a bangle, it twinkled in the sun like diamonds on gold. I put it on and called out thankyou with a smile. 
Days went past and everyone i found another gift, a ring, a piece of glass, a empty packet from chips, anything shinny it seemed was a gift from my friends to me. 
Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months and then a year and everyday i was guaranteed they would be here. Then one day there were four, another small grey magpie a son had been born i thought, so from then i left treats for 4. 
Through the window i watch magie feed the baby its treat, the baby would eat it from inside the mothers beak. What an incredible sight i thought with great amazement and delight. 
So everyday they would come,and often when i was in the yard one would watch me, or call out my name or ask me what was wrong. 
I was happy with just the 5 of us, happy to be at home, seeing all my kids had grown. 
The years went past and Maggie and son left so there were only us 3.
By now the Crow and Cocky would come and talk and sit with me.
I could pat them, squirt them with water, sing to them and often they would sing with me. 
I noticed the birds were getting of age as there feathers thined and began to fade. 
They seemed to hang around more and would even venture inside so i made sure i ajared the door.
One day poor Cocky i found dead, he had come to my house to rest its head. He laid on the doorstep i guess where he took his last breathe. I cried and i cried that day and all awhile crow stayed along side,never went away for anything and followed me around the house until it was night then left quietly to disappear into the moonslight. 
I held a ceremony that next day and buried Cocky under the seat where i had met him that first day. 
And as i said words of thanks along came a group of magpies and i knew who they were at first glance. The biggest one seemed to nod his head at Crow, and Crow seemed to nod back. Then they all stood around and watched me until i went inside for a nap. 
It was so hard saying goodbye to someone you loved.
The next day they were all back, Crow, Maggie and her family all chatting away like it was a social gathering with so much for each of them to say. As i came out i heard a voice in the trees 'whatyadoing?' this shocked me.
I looked up and aw 3 Cockys looking at me they looked very similar but don't they all? 
I took it as a message from my mate to let me know he was fine and doing great. 
So from that day on i left treats for everyone sitting on that seat but now in a very large plate. 
I always thought of who would look after them when i was gone but then recalled my worry because i had great faith.

Copyright © Vivian Brazier | Year Posted 2024

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