Thirsty Sparrow

Sparrow, pecking at the disc of ice in the bird bath. Flys away, thirsty. Guilt tugs at me. I take the kettle outside and pour water on the ice. It makes a hole in the middle that I can slip my fingers underneath, and pull the disc of ice out. I drop it onto the paving stones.

frozen mist drifts
white specks resting on the ice
of barren birdbath

small brown bird, hopeful
dips to drink from disc of ice
flys away thirsty