Four hummers swoop in
to find the deck feeder
and break the night's fast
but delay the feast to favor
an ancient territorial rite
Ruby-throated, defensive
they rise and fall in concert
like black symphonic notes
but hide luminous gorgets of
color quivering fast as neon
They cease the tease in time
to store up fat for a flight
that could last a thousand miles
and do them all in should they fail
together to follow the light
Alternate Title:
Moving On Is the Way of Things
