Little King

A Valentine's gift

Original watercolor by Jean Opitz, 2014

You were fluttering against the house last night 
Seeking shelter from freezing rain
When I stepped out to gather ice-encrusted rosemary

You let me gather you in my hand
I could not discern that you weighed anything
Like air itself made animate
Brilliant red cap
Brighter than any Valentine’s rose

Ruby-crowned Kinglet
A title that carries resonance
Not worm-eater or named for some long-dead human
But Little King with a glowing crown
Sovereign, curious, resilient, lightning-fast
I see and greet your kin on most days

I am sorry I didn't have a collection of tiny spiders and gnats for you
I offered you basil and valerian seeds
The smallest I could find
And a dish of water
And you slept in a box at the foot of my bed

I wish I had taken a picture of you sleeping
A perfect borb
A standing sphere of fluffed feathers
With head tucked inside.

I worried about you a little
But when I peeked in the morning
You flew through the tiniest crack to my window
As if to say I am ready
Though again you allowed me to gather you up

I might have kept you until the ice melted
But you would not have it
A king cannot be kept in a box
Even a little one

And so I took you outside
Hoping to take a picture before you left
But you would not have it
And you were off
Over the roof
To seek sustenance amid the morning thaw

But then I remembered
I have your picture
Captured by Jean
Immortalized in watercolor

This Valentine's Day began encased in ice
Then softened into melting
Brightened into sparkling sun
Might that be a metaphor?
I see meaning everywhere these days

Thank you, Little King
For the gift of your presence
For sharing this moment in time with me.

2-14-25

A few photos from my morning walk, after setting the Little King free.