¡Lo espantaste!* my mother says as we
approach the bushes of cruz de marta**.
It’s summer. A profusion of red blossoms
create a red crown above the leaves.
 
The hummingbird had been hovering
above the blossoms of the cruz de marta
bushes as we moved from the back
of the house to the side garden when
my mother pointed it out to me.
 
I startled it away when I rushed
to turn on the camera, hoping
to snap the picture of the hummingbird
flying in such proximity—not considering
how the sudden movement of my arms
would affect the moment.
 
The blur of shimmering emerald
so difficult to keep in focus—
constant motion—a gift that must
be taken whole before it vanishes.
 
Next morning, I stood near the bushes,
hoping to notice any imperceptible
movement that might indicate
the presence of a hummingbird.
 
I inspected the highest branches—
completely covered by red, tiny
blossoms like a connect-the-dots
picture. You must connect each blossom
to the next in order to get the whole picture.
 
A glimmering flash of emerald appears
between the shadows of two adjacent leaves.
I snap picture after picture.
The abundance of red, tiny flowers
is now documented for posterity.
 
The hummingbird will remain a fleeting
emerald sparkle I will chase after
for the rest of my life.

*"You scared it away!"
**In the same Rubiaceae family as ixora


© by Nydia Rojas.
Used with the author’s permission.