A thud at the window
Dull and sudden
A ball from kids at play?
I look out, wondering
And see nothing

A call - faint and sorrow-filled
Listening, following the sound
Down, down a female blackbird
Standing, mourns her mate
On his side, curled, grotesque
His head turned to my window
An accusing stare

"Please live," I say
Tears prick my hot eyes
He stands, like he hears
Fluffs up, with beak open
"Oh dear God, please live!"

Wings flail wildly
His mate moves in
Head tilted
Trying to understand
Trying to comprehend
She squawks
Encouragement lost

His feathered chest heaves
Once, twice...

I watch, my heart willing him to live
Wishing I was superhuman
Like in the movies
Breathing life...
...where there is none

And then the shudder
A little body
Barely palm-sized, shakes
Three floors high
Still the impact is seen
I feel it deep

Wings and legs spread
A lawn crucifixation
His mate lowers her head
She knows...
Silence in the trees
They know too

"He didn't suffer," I'm told
But it doesn't reverse
What's seen

I stare from the window
A small soul floats by
Onward to a better place
Passing the window
Sensations fill me
Feelings not mine
But they calm me,
Comfort me
And take the pain away
"Resting...just resting
before the flight home."