Awakened at sunrise
surrounded by cool morning air
and hushed bird songs.
To my red water pan
a lone grey squirrel takes a drink
scampers up hanging feeders
leaps to vibrant gold oak trees
then chased by red-throated neighbors —
darting, diving, and flying in defense
saying, this territory belongs to us.
Time for the great American
hummingbird migration
preparations, almost complete
being heavy feeders over several weeks.
Then comes the second week of October
where hummers need no reminding
as gene memory sparks
and every year — going south away from winter
they fly off to Mexico or even Costa Rica
listening to eternal whispers.