See the elegance
of the hummingbird
as she hovers at the feeder.
Drinking from it daily,
lapping at the nectar
that you leave for her.
Day after day, you watch;
enjoying the company
without tending to the feeder.
The elixir becomes stagnant
from your neglect.
Still, she sips and savors.
She does not know it's killing her.
Mesmerized by color,
beauty and taste...she sups;
yet inside she is dying.
~0~
Do you drink
from a feeder
that slowly kills?
Fly away!
Author notes
Tis what I allowed to happen in my life. I stayed until I was dying inside. Finally I flew away. I am starting to heal from the hummingbird elixir.
Hummingbirds, like humans will do this. They will continue to stay and drink from a feeder that is neglected. Always take care with hummingbird feeders. Bacteria from the sugar can build up very quickly in the hot summer days and it can harm the hummingbirds. They don't know it...and keep drinking. It can easily kill them.
Cheryl
Written May 12th, 2006
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beautifully written, and really sends out a message...I didn't know the feeders could be dangerous for the birds...thank you for sharing...blessings always~ Trisha
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This is beautifuly done, I love the message of the piece as well. Just wonerful
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i see this as a metaphor for quite a few things here. crug addiction and domestic violence for starters. of course, i feed the birds here bird seed or bread and my sister does the feeders for the hummingbirds. her mother in law passed last year and this was their thing so she stays on top of it. sorry for rambling here. great write and certainly food for thought. viyanna rosemarie
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I've always thot hummingbirds smarter than humans, just a loose thot i am sure but when the feeder is about five days old, the hummers make a real racket at the feeder, as if yelling HEY, change this thing! Congratulations on a well deserved trophy. Blessings and best wishes, ~richard
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Congrats on your trophy...Rich
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I have loved this from the very first time you worked on it and it continues to touch my life and pierce my heart. I am so sorry that has ended up being your own fate in life but just remember that now you are free to soar and fly to new lands and seek out new adventures. Love yourself unconditionally and always forgive your shortcomings... you were, are and always will be... one class act.
♥ Touchof1der -
You've brought the problem of complacency and neglect in a relationship sharply into focus. It is so ironic that the same stuff that sustains you can also kill you if not carefully monitored for purity. Good luck in the contest.
Sincerely,
Leo Long -
We, too have hummingbirds just above the window in the kitchen. How very territorial they are. Thispoem speaks tot he heart of the hummingbird. it is exactly what I want.How do we see the specific bird as it comes to teach us a lesson? You have made that request personal.
How often have we, women, or menk for that matter, had the sweetness of life go stagnant? Many times, I fear. Well done!
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Sheryl, what a great message for birdlovers to heed
. We make sure to daily put fresh water into the birdbath where the little creatures drink and bathe at the same time , as well as keep our hummingbird feeders fresh. I did think that was common sense. I think we should apply to animals the same things that apply to us. And as far as you using it as a metaphor of what can happen to us in life...i want to say "you killed two birds with one stone"
but I know you realise that those words are not meant literally by me I wish you the very best. I will be away from here for a bit, starting Sunday. I am having a lumbar fusion on Monday and I am not sure when I will be mobile enough , or able to sit upright comfortably....so I am also sending many 
z your way,
xoxoxoxo
reenie
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I can see how this would apply to your life and probably many others, as well. I'm glad you were able to find fresh elixir to drink from and rid your body of the toxins that had built up over the course of time. This is a perfect example of symbolism to illustrate poetically-I hope it does well in the contest! vj
(Every since you warned us about the feeders-I have been faithful to keep mine fresh-thanks for that great advice.)
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this brings attention to something many probably don't realize. I always shudder when I ever see animals drinking from dirty and stagnant watering dishes but you always see it! The metaphor is a good one.
We had hummingbirds living in the redwoods outside our apartment in California and got to see them hatch little ones in a nest that was low enough for us to enjoy. That was the best. -
This is a striking metaphor and the message it brings is wise. Written beautifully.
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this is a very good and informative write. Never knew this. Your application to human conditions is laudable. Thank you.
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I too have a few feeders and watch as each bird will chase the others away though the feeder holds much more than one could ever drink.
A beautiful picture and poem.
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