The hummingbird rests lightly on a tree branch,
its small body stilled beneath a pink hibiscus crown.
Soft green wings glow in the pink dusk,
blue feathers gathered like a skirt around its form.
Only when the light tilts do you see her~
arms folded gently over that blue-feathered dress,
a tiny fairy caught in a moment of dreaming,
as if sleep itself had lifted her from the air
and set her down in the stillness between worlds.
He cannot speak or say a word.
His singing voice is seldom heard,
but sadly, he will hum,
and gently, he will strum...
the little hummingbird.
I was born from the first spark
leaping between darkness and dawn~
a jewel-bright ember the sky released
when it wondered how to begin.
The wind shaped me from its longing,
taught me to hover between moments
so I could keep the world stitched
to its own trembling light.
Every beat of my translucent wings
is an ancient incantation~
a spell to keep the day from falling apart.
I drink from the throats of flowers
because they remember me.
Long ago, I carried their colors
into the empty morning,
scattering reds and golds
like seeds of fire.
They open now in recognition,
offering nectar as tribute
to the small god who once
gave them their names.
I am the keeper of swift miracles,
the courier of impossible motion.
When I cross a garden,
time bends to let me pass~
a brief shimmer, a myth in flight,
the world’s smallest thunder.
At dusk,
I fold myself into stillness
resting quietly
in the cradle of twilight.
A light warm breeze tickles my nose
with sweet perfumes of a freshly bloomed rose
A hummingbird zips by and feeds from blooms
Another one joins as they zip and zoom
Embracing the moment, not feeling gloom
A sweet hummingbird joins along embracing
(Excerpt from " A relaxing Moment with Nature" Written and posted 2/19/26)
palette of color
gifted wings perch on sunshine
desires no cages
lucky hummingbird
parading past trumpet vines
a nimble flier
hummingbird drinking
colorful wings fluttering
furry cat chasing
sweet hummingbird
a true marvel of nature
~ you are a gem
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
grace and elegance
in such a tiny package
~ gifted with wings
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
I came upon a recipe
That wasn’t a mistake,
Though it was for something strangely called
A hummingbird (huh?) cake.
I glanced at the ingredients –
The list was far from brief
But there weren’t any hummingbirds,
Which was a huge relief.
With pineapple, bananas,
Sugar, cinnamon and flour,
Eggs, vanilla, oil and pecans
It sounds great, but gets its power
From its cream cheese butter frosting,
Which must add the perfect touch
To a sweet dessert that many people
Must like very much.
The cake is from Jamaica
So its name, from what I’ve heard,
Is a tribute to, you might have guessed,
The nation’s namesake bird.
Maybe someday I will try it,
But I know when that day comes,
I’ll be grateful knowing there was no
Ingredient that hums!
small shimmering self
exotic wings fluttering
pulled in by nectar
Yesterday I was being bombarded
by a tiny annoying buzzing kamikaze pilot
Sounding like a mosquito on speed
it divebombed both of my ears
I swatted at it several times, thinking I would be stung or bitten
Finally caught a glimpse of the aircraft
it was a teeny tiny gray hummingbird
did he think I was a flower?
hummingbird surprised
butterfly's on his turf
~ arrived first
AP: Honorable Mention 2026, Honorable Mention 2026
"Hummingbirds teach us that even the smallest creatures can have the biggest hearts."
~ Anonymous
I saw a hummingbird today,
Charming, little, bouncy and gay,
Flitting from flower to flower,
In a sole spot, he would not stay;
Watching it fly in the bower,
Made me feel lucky with power,
Olive plumage with gray and white,
I could watch it hour after hour;
It was a magnificent sight,
Eyeing it in suspended flight,
The humming of their beating wings,
Sounds like the drone of a sweet sprite;
A bird made by the King of Kings,
It's one of the loveliest things,
A magical mystery feel,
That hummingbird makes my heart sing.
they move so fast, at first, I think they are bees
I rarely see a big one, but I did yesterday
I thought bumblebee until I got a bit closer
she was nowhere near my hummingbird feeder
Preferring my real flowers
flitting among my lilies; I watched, in awe
she is magnificent, her colors are iridescent
a bit of green, blue, and a sliver of silver
I ran through dewy fields
in the flush of morning
playing tag with the breeze ~
heard the sweetest invitation sounding
like chanting from meadow mermaids.
I followed the trail of a hummingbird
and the butterflies just laughed.
They floated gracefully with ease
from one bloom chalice to the other.
Joyfully I danced under the midday sun
I followed the fluttering wings
of some delightfully playful butterflies.
The meadow was a field of dreams.
It sizzled with sunny giddiness,
an exuberance that was contagious.
I’d say I was in hot pursuit
but I was actually frolicking in blissfulness
Lineku: 3 stanzas 5-7-5 of 5 or 7 words per line
AP: 2nd place 2025
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