Ruby

by Christine Bayeux

It lay there, lifeless
and bruised. No evidence
of a heart still beating,
except when its tiny breast
rose and fell, barely breathing,
the ruby sparrow lay
broken.

Ruby friends cascaded
down to offer their support,
and gentle nudges with
beaks honest, but sharp,
each having not a
shape the same, but a
purpose similar.

Ruby, you must flap your
wings, though you feel life
has escaped your small body.
Our bird eyes see you
broken.
We want you to choose-
life
not
death.
Small gasps of air rise,
and fall within your breast.
You can breathe.
BREATHE.

Ruby's eyes blinked in slight
acknowledgement. Knowing
a second chance was not
necessary, but deserved
mattered suddenly. They
looked translucent, the wings,
when they began flapping
though the movement was slight,
life was there to live.