Hummingbirds of Coburn Loop

Go, said the daughter-in-law,

See the hummingbirds.

We thought that there would be six or seven

Skitting around a feeder offering red sugar-water.

What we saw was a frenzied hummingbird orgy—

At least thirty-five or forty ruby-throated beauties

Hovering, humming, feeding, fighting, humming--

It was a charmed time.

In two or three days they will be gone,

Gone south to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico.

Along the way they will stop to feed.

Others will be thrilled,

Others will know a moment of charmed time.

--September 26, 2013