Visitor From Outer Space

On the phone this morning, gazing at

the window behind me reflected on my dark

computer screen.

Suddenly a pigeon landed on the outer

windowsill. A big deal up here on the 37th floor.

Besides the occasional window washer, we

almost never get live visitors from the world

outside.

Years ago, before cats came, a young

Peregrine Falcon stopped on the same sill

to rest during soaring practice. But that's

all.

My cat boys, have only witnessed birds on

the wing from a distance, or a quick glance

from behind the mesh of their carrier going

through the park on the way to the vet.

They see more airplanes and helicopters.

Went to get Tizzy and Fred up from

their morning snooze in the other room.

Fred realized something was afoot and

followed immediately.

But TZ beat him to the window.

Tiz is still there along with the pigeon.

The visitor from outer space being carefully

(with a modicum of frustration) observed by

the inhabitant of this inner space, high up

over center city.

PS: The Pigeon remained on the sill from shortly after 9AM

until it took off shortly after 4PM when I tried to give it a

little drink of water in a small cap.

It was a young bird as it still had traces of pinfeathers

sticking through its flight feathers like honey colored threads

in a tied quilt. And its eyes were still

brown, not yet red.

Godspeed little Pigeon.

Welcome back anytime.