Friday, August 6, 2010

bel ti zwazo (beautiful little bird)

when i sit out on the balcony of providence house, there's a little hummingbird that comes to refresh herself in the fruit tree in the yard. the tree is lush and green and full of life. geckos hang out there and puff out their necks as they dance their funny gecko dance. there are huge flying insects with plump black bodies and bright orange wings that float among the branches. years ago, you never saw birds in haiti. we asked the girls about this and they said they used to eat the birds. i'm not sure what to think about that, but for whatever reason, the birds have returned. this gives me hope. maybe life is returning to this place. if all you ever saw was the trees in this yard, you'd think you were in paradise.

but this is not paradise.

8 comments:

  1. What a great mental image . . . I love how you describe it!

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  2. Your meticulous attention to detail draws us in, and maybe gives us a breath of what it is for you to be there. Life returning, paradise/not paradise.

    And they used to eat the birds?? No wonder they've stayed away until recently.

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  3. thanks sarah. and kirsten...who knows if that's true or if i understood them correctly. i can't imagine anyone catching a bird and eating it. but it seems like that's what they believe. and i suppose if you're hungry enough, you find a way. :(

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  4. beautiful picture i have in my mind of that ....

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  5. dave, you're the beautiful picture in my mind...

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  6. thanks for inviting me into that moment with you momma. i can see that tree :)

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  7. It is so nice to get a mental picture of you in Haiti. You write so well. I packed for RHFH again today. I have booked my flights and I will be there on October 16.

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  8. thanks everybody. that little bird might appear on this blog some more. we'll have to see...

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