Waterman

Before I picked up an old bowl
(Long time back kids had their
Play and eat sessions with this
Colorful melamine bowl)
To fill water and place it
On the balcony sill,
A small bird dropped dead
From the searing summer heat
I turned  my eyes to the sound
(I was working from home)

Now every morning
I fill the bowl to the brim
And soon I see
Birds reaching for their first gulp
And many more
I check again later in the day
To refill

A pigeon lands on the railing
Walks slowly
Dips its beak
Swallows few drops
Lifts the beak
Looks around and takes a long gulp
Goes around the bowl
Flies away

Another small bird
With large feet, short legs
And a sharp yellow bill
Lands like a helicopter
Takes in some water
Raises its head gulps it
More water
Repeats few more times
Looks into the house
Makes a short noise
A whistle like
Once, twice, thrice
And few more
Rests one foot on the bowl
And takes flight

Occasionally,
I hear a sound of an empty bowl
Tapped by a feathered friend
Calling attention
Of Waterman

Thanks to the
Beautiful winged visitors
Allow me play the host
Fill colours and sounds
On the otherwise
Melancholic canvas
Of my persona

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