The Journey Inward

Fear of birds began as a preschooler,
when I was attacked by a blue jay in my yard.
I ran screaming to the back door,
the jay chasing and pecking at my head.

Fear of birds continued.
watching The Birds on the Thursday afternoon movie,
as a way too young child
and always cautiously checking the sky
as I left the house!

Fear of birds was faced in college,
when I bought a $29.99 parakeet at Woolworth's,
complete with cage and food.
We lived in peace...
until my best friend decide to let it fly around my dorm room.
I ducked under my comforter
and when she was too scared to catch it,
she joined me.
In my late teens, Melvin went a long way
in helping me like birds again.

Out by our pool one day,
the girls and I found a baby bird
sprawled on the concrete.
It had fallen from its nest in the butterfly bush.
We took it in and nursed it,
then brought it to a wildlife refuge,
where it thrived and was released.
In my 30's, that experience went a long way
in helping my really like birds again.

Upon retiring, my sister became fascinated
with birdwatching and constructed a backyard bird paradise.
I installed a smaller version on my property
and delight in watching them,
learning their calls,
and keeping record of who I hear wherever I go.
In my 50's, studying birds helped me 
fall in love with them again.

And then Wednesday brough a new experience,
and a new reality check.
I was taking the dogs out for a walk
before my friend picked me up for an adventure.
Returning to the house, she was in the driveway
and I ran in to lock up.
I had left the back door open,
and as I walked into the living room
to put Spencer in his crate,
Henry and I were shocked to see a bird
flying from window to window,
plant to plant.
The poor thing was terrified.

I ran out to alert my friend,
the same best friend from college,
and she dutifully came in to troubleshoot.
We opened the doors and tried to coax it toward them.
Nothing doing.
I grabbed a dishtowel to put it in,
but she had already chosen a blanket.
Moving carefully, she was able to wrap it up
and we ushered it back outside,
but not before some Melvin flashbacks!!

Our bird friend flew right off,
which astonished us given the fright it'd had.
When I returned home later,
a bird was on my front porch
that looked a lot like the one 
who'd moved in temporarily.
I'm not sure, but I am sure 
that with my best friend of 37 years,
we both have conquered any fear of birds!

Photos:  4.23.25 by LA