13 Comments
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Betsy Johnson, M.Ed.'s avatar

How did I miss this?...beautiful imagery!

Laura Coleman's avatar

Beautiful, I’ve always been enamored by hummingbirds. I love how you capture both the wonder of the tiny hummingbird’s vast migration and the deeper question of belonging to a earth that is always changing. 🙏🏼

Andy Smith's avatar

Thanks, Laura. In Coast Salish culture hummingbirds are considered messengers of joy and that is certainly what I experience whenever I see one. And yes, they do take us deeper into the belief that all belong despite our imaginary borders.

Laura Coleman's avatar

Thanks for sharing Andy. They are indeed special messengers! 🧚

Merry Carol's avatar

Dear Andy … I really appreciated this poem with the hummingbird photo… these little friends have come back to our Valley… and the weather is spring enough to get me out side working in the garden. Best to you and T.

Andy Smith's avatar

So glad you enjoyed this, Merry Carol. The coming of summer in BC is such a thing to celebrate. Glad the hummingbirds are back to help you in that!

Alex Dawson's avatar

So lovely!!

Rae McMinn's avatar

“The shore at the end of my belief in belonging” just made me put my coffee down and start the poem over

Andy Smith's avatar

So glad this piece caught you and invited you in to read again

Kate Dyer's avatar

Just gorgeous, Andy. Devastating. I love how your questions lead us deeper in until we can’t turn away. The ‘the shore at edge of my belief in belonging’ line will rattle in my chest for a long while. Thank you for sharing this.

Andy Smith's avatar

Thank you, Kate. Your feedback means a lot to me

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Who are we to try

to stop their harmless efforts

to simply survive?

Poetry Tracks In the Snow's avatar

These are such reverent and gorgeous words; I feel what the hummingbird represents is something larger than life. The ending and tie to belonging is beautiful Andy 💚💚💚