Bird Bath

By John I. Blair

I’ve seen it many times:
A bird perched on the big red bowl
I set outside for water
To wash down sunflower seeds.

Birds can’t resist
The tiny sky reflection,
Which draws them there
Like filings to a magnet.

The narrow rim
Fits bird feet perfectly,
Not knife-edged or too wide;
The modest height

Means even sparrows
Can hop up from the decking
Easily.
I’ve seen them sit there,

At water’s edge,
Looking in, sipping,
Tipping slightly
As though about to plunge.

But they always stop.
Oh they may dip a wingtip,
Then preen a bit. But
Will not take the final step

That commits them to the deep;
There is no leap of faith
By which cardinals and sparrows
Think they swim.

©2011 John I. Blair