Trochilidae Thoughts

I watch in awe from the patio

as these speeding little creatures

guzzle down gulps of nectar. 

Among them, a hummingbird hesitates.

His glittering green coat reflects the sun

as he eyes me curiously, frightened. 

And what will this bird’s babies think

when they hear of how he lived 1,461 days,

yet never tasted the sweet liquid of a hollyhock,

because he was petrified by my presence?

I believe my biggest fear to be this,

the unwavering anxiety of what-ifs.