Hope

One bitterly cold December day
I walked a barren landscape
Within and without
For no flowers bloomed, no birds sang
In the garden - or in my soul

In a wooded area I came upon
An elderly man and woman
Each standing, arm extended
With a palmful of peanuts
As they looked up expectantly at the trees

I watched as tiny birds
Flitted ever nearer
Black Capped Chickadees
Came to pluck tasty morsels
From their hands

Overcoming my shyness
I approached the couple
Might I feed the birds too?
The man smiled
And poured some food into my palm

I lifted my arm and waited
My elbow ached
My hand felt numb
Yet I was determined
To hold that little creature

Suddenly, a little pirate
With black bandana and beard
Perched on my hand
Come to claim his booty -
- And my heart

With his tiny clawed feet
Wrapped around my pinky
He appraised the contents in my hand
Snatched the plumpest nut
And flew off
Taking my burden with him

No plundering was involved
It was a fair exchange
A peanut
For the return of hope