sonora2sonoma

Each morning, and some afternoons too, a small bird appears outside my office window pecking at the glass panes as if it believes that in persisting, it just might get lucky one time and win the jackpot by gaining entry to my abode. I can’t for the life of me imagine what the nature of that jackpot might be, however, since being bird-brained is not among the many things of which I’ve been accused over the years.

The bird returns, nonetheless, every morning appearing refreshed and ready to rap on the glass until it grows weary of the effort and retires to wherever it is that birds go to rest themselves before returning to the battle.

If the bird were somehow to gain access to my keep, what would be its next move, I wonder? What mysterious attraction might my book-bedecked and monitor-adorned work-space hold for my avian infiltrator? No bugs, seeds, nuts or other such tidbits would it find, no branches in which to build its nest and no mate with whom to fulfill its biological imperative.

No, were the bird somehow to manage pulling off popping in, only diminished sunlight, slightly stale air and shadowed crannies would be found. The few spiders it might locate could provide it nourishment for a while, but only until they grew scarce. Safe haven from the predatory felines who roam the environs outside my window would be certain, but at what price? The bird’s need to eat would eventually overcome its fear of being eaten and it would, as they say, fly the coop.

Except birds aren’t known for negotiating the labyrinthine nature of enclosures such as mine, and my little bird-brained excursionist would become bewildered by the baffling business of bringing to light the way out. It would likely end with me having to shoo the little bugger out with a broom, which would be terrifying for the bird and exasperating for me.

So, sorry, little bird. Despite your persistent pecking at my pane, my prerogative must, of needs, prevail and you should probably pigeonhole your pursuit and pinpoint other possible activities with which to be preoccupied.

Tim Konrad

2020.05.09