Abandoned Bird Bath (Haibun)

abandoned bird bath /
caked with rotten leaves and dirt – /
winter disorder //

All around me hidden birds are chirping, yet I have no food or water to give them. Today is moving day, and inside the house, boxes are stacked in kitchen room and living room, hallway and foyer … everywhere.  I am drowning in boxes.  I walked outside to clear my mind and was confronted by more disorder.  This garden needs so much work done, and as much as I want to take care of the birds, I am barely prepared to take care of myself right now.

I’ve moved across the continent to where the weather is warm and the birds are new. They’re not as exotic as pheasants or peacocks … but to me they seem exotic because their colors are just slightly different.  When I look at them, I feel like I’ve walked into a room and forgotten what I was looking for.

black bands and white throats /
identify perfect mates /
just as much as songs //

Back east, jays are blue with white bellies and black bars – out west they are blue with black bars and black hoods.  Back east, jays have a slow but piercing scream. Out west, jays throw a rapid creetcreetcreetcreet around my shoulders. I’m disoriented but fascinated.

when the shrill jay screams /
little sparrows fall silent – /
I share their alarm //

A dozen sparrows are waiting in the neighbor’s yard, watching. I feel guilty. It wouldn’t take much work to make this little corner presentable and healthy.  Sweep away the dead leaves, clean and fill the bird bath, get rid of the tent caterpillars.  I could add a feeder, too.

The boxes can wait.

echoes of bird wings /
tossing water in the air – /
memory  no more //

Northern blue jay (L) and Stellar’s jay (R). Wikimedia.

◊

This is written for Haibun Thinking Week 8: Freestyle Week. We were given several literary, film, painting, and photographic prompts to work with. I chose the abandoned birdbath.

I don’t think you’re supposed to start a haibun with a haiku, but I felt like doing it anyway.  :)

◊

First image: Abandoned Garden Birdbath. Michael Grogan. For Haibun Thinking.

←◊→