Trespassing in Nuthatch Territory

There are many species of birds around the acreage of our country home. I feed them and provide some housing but some find shelter in unlikely places. Recently at dusk, we spotted an avian form fly down and slip through a crack in the slats of our well-house.  “That better not be another starling, “I remarked. Starlings harass the native birds and we often block their nesting sites. We investigated but could not see in the dark recesses. With a gooseneck flashlight made for engine repair, I spied a female nuthatch sitting on her nest looking up at our invasive bright light…

Trespass

As I peer through the hole 

enlarged by tiny pecks

the  bird’s white face gazes up 

feathers spread wide over her nest 

eyes pleading

the dark fortress breached

I leave her in peace

holding close a sacred memory