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Daniel Anders

Hummingbird

The old man awoke with a start. He checked the time. 07:13. He jumped out of bed and went to the window where a bird cage perched. His hummingbird lay on the floor of the cage. He took it out and held it, realizing then the cause of death. He confirmed his suspicion by going over and checking the radiator. It was set to low but was stone cold, like the creature in the palm of his hand. He kicked the heater and cursed his building superintendent, his boss, the party. He dressed clumsily, having to re-button his shirt to align the buttons with the holes. He left the bird on the table so he could bury it when he returned from work.

On the train, songs which his bird would normally sing to wake him echoed in his memory. He wept. “What a stupid old man I must seem to my fellow travellers. But I cannot help my feelings for my bird.”