It was late afternoon and the sun was throwing long shadows across the grass. In a tall tree on the street behind me, a cardinal sat. Just one bird. At the very tiptop of the tree. I know it was a cardinal because of its shape against the winter sky. Was he staking out the tree for a nest, I wondered. Was he keeping watch for other birds to be sure no danger would harm them on lower branches? Or, was he waiting for his mate to fly in from a day of searching for nesting material? Did he get home first and did he keep an anxious eye out, waiting for her to arrive so they could discuss all the ups and downs of the past twelve hours?
Soon, the sun would drop behind the hills and twilight would slip across town on shadowed feet. Soon, darkness would cover that tree and the cardinal family but I’ve noticed that when evening draws on, birds gather for a last helping of sunflower seeds or to hide in the honeysuckle thicket and chatter and chirp until sleep overtakes them. It’s a peaceful thing, this coming home at night, and it’s nice to remember that human families do the same thing. When darkness descends, home and family and a comfortable chat are a nice way to end the day.
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