Posted in Stories

City Bird

City Bird was born in the city. He grew up on sidewalks and pedestrian roads and never set foot on grass. City Bird respected the city laws. He waited for green lights to pass and paid for his metro pass. City Bird was a modern soul, a fearless soul, an urban legend to be told. When City Bird flew he landed, not on street-lamp wires and trees, but on the finest architectural designs and on balconies with views for miles. He stood gazing at fast cars and fancy bars and city lights gleaming like stars. While the other birds ate bugs and worms, City Bird built shelters to protect moths from storms and grew leaves for beetles to feed their newborns. He was a strong bird, a proud bird, a treasurer of by-passers secrets and tell tales unheard. Strolling down the streets was his daily habit, wearing a shiny green scarf over a purple and grey jacket. With a courteous demeanor, he accompanied workers on their lunch break and thanked women who brought him coffee, bread crumbs, and cake. City Bird had feathery hands that hugged the wounds of aching hearts, and wiped the tears of dreamers whose dream fell apart. When leaves turned yellow and birds migrated in flocks, City Bird covered his four pink toes with handmade socks. He slept in a sky high building when winter came. City Bird was the city symbol yet no one knew his name.

Posted in Stories

Growing in the Valley

Our rooster’s familiar crow pulled me from my sleep. I buried my tiny limbs under the thick duvet my grandmother had sewn years ago. The sheep wool she stuffed inside provided my cold, languid body with the gentle warmth of a mid-July sunset. The heavy blanket pressed me down to a bumpy handmade mattress that rests on a bed made of a thousand springs. I closed my eyes to extend the night for just a little longer. I knew it couldn’t be for too long.

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