I was in the hot tub

The water 104, the air 24

Such a juxtaposition of degrees

After a long run, the hot water felt good on my knees

I leaned my head back in the tub

Looked at the turquoise sky

In the quiet, I heard a whisper, “What’s up?”

I looked around in a fright

Though it was daylight

No neighbors out on the other side of the fence

There was a level of suspense

“Hey,” I heard

There was a speck of orange in the green bush

Then some tan feathers

It was a beautiful bird

Not scared of the cold weather

I thought she would know better

The tabby cat was at the base of the bush

The squirrels gave the limbs a push

Overhead I saw some pelicans

“Her name’s Melon,” said the cardinal in the bush

“I’m Queen,” she told me

Was I on the verge of syncope

My muscles relaxed and I put my head back

A pair of seagulls fluttered about overhead

“That’s Jim and Piper,” Queen said

She flew to rest on the edge of the tub

Her beak was like orange lipstick

Her brown feathers and toes, so delicate

She softly asked, “Isn’t it interesting that birds like to be in pairs?”

“See, look over there”

“It’s Noble and Molly”

I looked and saw two eagles in the sky above

I said, “Some say birdwatching is folly”

But Queen replied, “Pairs are good, just like the pears on trees”

“But this morning Love left me”

I looked to the bushes and there was embedded a coat of red

“Looks like he’s back,” I told her

“Oh, I’m not sure,” she said

She excused herself then flew back to her nest

What a beautiful pair

Some of God’s best

I fixed my eyes on the sky again

I heard her faint whispering, “Don’t you love the color?”

I heard the back door open and saw my husband walk out

He was wearing blue swim shorts – they and his eyes matched the sky

“What a wonder,” I said

My guy – he shivered then got into the hot tub

Steam rolled off the top

He said, “This backyard beauty will make your heart stop”

We warmed together and he gave me a hug

We looked at the birds, too much wonder to speak

One in the bush with the orange lipstick, next to the one in red

Looked at me and gave a wink