- Jimmy Broccoli
I Didn’t Know Birds Could Sing – I Had Never Heard Their Voices
I open the living room windows – I had already removed the screens –
and a single bird flies into the room
I don’t know the type of bird it is – I know nothing about birds –
Its feathers are deep creamy white, black, and brilliant shades of piercing blues and greens –
It begins singing a bird song – and it sounds happy and loving –
and I can hear the song – without an interpreter or a hearing aid
Until recently, I didn’t know birds could sing –
A second bird flies into the room –
perhaps I should return the screens to the windows –
but I very much do not want to do that –
For now – no screens on the windows
The second bird joins the first bird in song –
and its song, too, I can hear –
it’s lovely –
Its feathers are a striking shade of yellow –
with tiny patches of red and dark purple
“What’s going on with these birds?”, I ask aloud
The phone rings – and I know it’s him calling
The birds fly out my living room windows, together –
carrying their birdsong with them
I pick up the phone – “Hello”, I say aloud into the receiver
His voice is beautiful – like a birdsong –
and I can hear it –
finally, I can hear it
Photo: Jimmy Broccoli
