Hummers and Jewels ©Molly Lin Dutina  23-9-1
Finally after the long wait watching these shrubs 
Grow from sprout to 3 feet tall
The delicate jewelweed
Shows a couple orange flowers and then 15 followed by
A sudden explosion and they are countless
Long line of plants forms a border to neighbors lot
Deep breath of autumn air, a taste of what is to come
Circles back today towards summer swelter
Having had a taste, we are eager for cooler

Then I see it!
First one flower trembles, then that one
Looking closely I can barely see the 3 inch wing span
I read amazingly she remembers
every flower she visits!
Approximately the weight of a regular marshmallow
The flying dynamo speeds around the exterior of the house
Up to 24 miles per hour, fastest in North America
Yet flits from jewelweed flower to flower 
Barely making the plant tremble

Likely this property boundary is too much
for the hummer to patrol, control
Yes, they continue to guard the feeder we put out
But ignore the large area of nectar filled jewelweed
I think the overabundance
Is God’s way of saying,
‘Share, little birds!”

Then I see it again
Sip, dart, sip
The wonder of nature
Glory of God in 
Wild flowers and wild birds

How blessed we are to live on this lot
In this house
At this time of life
With these birds and flowers
In abundance for our delight.