Sitting alone on a bench by the sea
Listening to waves as they crash onto rocks
There are tall orange flowers by a memorial
In front of which I sit quietly
Thinking thoughts that are my own.

As I breathe the sweet air
I am pulled away by my reflections
by the chatter of a small bird
While she enjoys the nectar of a flower.
I reach for my camera
She then sits atop a bloom
providing a perfect pose.

After I snap the photo
She turns, her head towards me
as if to say "Farewell"
then swiftly flys away.
Smiling contently I look at the ocean
And cannot remember there ever having been
A more pleasant Memorial Day.
AJ Darrel