Fleeting Feathered Friend (poetry)

a poem about fleeting friendships of the feathered variety that leave an imprint on the soul forevermore

Image description: a photo I took of a sparrow perched atop a shopping cart seat in a parking lot

A sparrow sighting isn't exactly what one would call a unique or rare occurence, but it always has a way of lifting me up. For context, I had just returned to my car after getting a gender-affirming haircut, and I felt a mix of gender euphoria and fear of how I'll be perceived when being more visibly "out" than I've ever been. I was also overstimulated by the whole experience (especially my drive there, the small talk, the sound of the blow dryers, etc.), but there was a pause in all the mental chaos when this little sparrow landed atop a cart that was right next to me. It peered intently at me for a little while (enough for me to simply enjoy the brief moment and snap a photo) and then fluttered away to who knows where. What I find particularly magical is that I often seem to have such interactions after a pivotal moment in my life. At this point, sparrows feel like an animal guide.

In a parking lot, on a shopping cart no less,
I found myself a feathered friend
for a few flutters of the heart,
then up, up, and away it darted:
apart from me but a part of me always
as will all things be—
whether forever or fleeting,
friendship fuses us further
to the Universe.