A Gentle Perch

Finished resting on the butcher block and marched outside to check the garden border. Near the low stone wall, a small gray sparrow landed on the dry gravel, looking for seeds among the coarse pebbles. The bird took three quick hops, then stopped near my heavy brown boots. Did not flutter away. I lowered myself down into the mulch with slow, quiet knees. Stretched my right arm out flat across the dark stone paver, keeping knuckles open and green palm steady as iron. Hmph. Held breath. The small creature hopped right onto my bare thumb, its tiny claws cold and sharp against my thick skin. It tilted its head, rested a moment, then took wing into the shrubs. Palm stayed steady the whole time. #Hulk