THE REBUILT NEST

She found a nest on the ground, smashed,

and all its eggshells, shattered,

and no baby chicks left to fly.

She mourned their passing.

Then she said, onwards, upwards, continue.

Next year.

Come the spring, she found a nest on the ground,

smashed, with one small egg intact.

She kept it in her apron pocket for warmth,

but it was too small.

She mourned its passing.

And then she said onwards, upwards, continue.

Next year.

The next spring she found a nest, but sooner.

There were four eggs within.

She kept them in the hot press for safe keeping

until they hatched,

but she never saw the cat approaching.

Once again she mourned their passing,

and said, onwards, upwards, continue.

Next year.

The year after, she stood beneath the tree

and caught the nest, falling,

and brought it home.

With constant watching she saw them hatching

but with no mother bird guiding,

they couldn't fly.

She mourned their lack of leaving

and said onwards, upwards, continue.

Next year.

Another year, she brought a ladder,

and rebuilt the nest before it scattered,

and kept the baby birds together

in their woven incubator.

Then she left, giving space for their mother

to return and mind her babies.

She mourned their separation

from her good intentions,

but said onwards, upwards, continue.

Next year.

The following year, she tried a different tack.

Come the spring she decided not

to try to rescue what was already decided

by the ability of nature,

but to concentrate instead on enjoying watching

the birds who got as far as flying

without any interference

from herself.

And she said, onwards, upwards, continue.

This year.

©Roisin Duffy

TITLE: THE REBUILT

NEST

PRICE: €600

SIZE: 24" X 24"

ACRYLIC ON DEEP

CANVAS WITH BLACK

EDGE

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