Feathered Friends

Only One

arriving home

from far away

early dawn inspection

cries of anguish

curses thrown hither and yon

they left only one

the finches,

      sparrows,

      wrens,

      doves, and

      starlings

devoured each and every one

      (except one)

despite netting, ribbons, cats

despite it being HER

                          plum tree,

                          NOT theirs

————————————

fingertips stretch

toes tip

with a twist

           and a tug

it falls into her hand

dusty purples, pinks, golden

plump, firm, silky smooth

held under nose

it smells of summer

the crunch

the sweet

      sharp tang of childhood so long ago

each bit savored

until only the pit is left

to be sucked dry

then fingers licked

                    one through five

————————————

they left the last one

the finches, 

      sparrows,

      wrens, 

      doves, and 

      starlings

what lovely friends to have