bird 11

mourning dove
zenaida macroura


a flock of mourning doves shows up regularly to eat seed off the ground outside our house.  today, they did not appear.  with eighteen of inches of snow on the ground and more on the way, this seemed like a good decision.  then, this solitary dove arrived, puffing her feathers and covered in snow.  she landed on a branch above the seed pile, somehow hoping seed would appear below.  mournful would be a good word to describe her.  

as i looked out the window, i could only feel compassion for her.  i, too, was tired of the snow,  as i nestled in by the fire.  i filled a baking sheet with seed, took it outside and carefully balanced it on the snow below her.  she waited until i left, then dropped down to eat.  slowly, her flock came to join her.

thank you for your lesson, ms. mourning dove.  your singleness of purpose and steadfast hope remind me to persevere when all seems impossible.  the opportunity to help you (and your flock) through this storm has made me think about creatures beyond myself.  i am grateful for you, ms. mourning dove.  stay warm through the storm.