The Hummingbird

dusk one evening a hummingbird flew

through the open door of the bathhouse next

to a fuchsia basket that hung there

only to be trapped flying towards sky 

but hitting plastic recycled skylights

in the peaked roof 

steamy air rising from the bath

an easy escape the bird could not find

buzzing like a fly to find open sky

frustrated and tired the tiny bird perched 

over the old iron clawfoot bathtub

my wife standing on the rim could reach it

she was surprised she said the bird let her

enfold it in her hand and release it

into warm evening air our garden

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                         2024