A robin’s nest was in the holly bush last week At almost eye level, I had an intimate view Into the life of a baby bird Pink, frail and wanting These small, translucent creatures Waking ,sleeping, eating Had everything they needed to survive But did not know yet how to live I would clutch my hands in delight At their tiny outstretched necks, their barely formed beaks Open, seeking, receiving I giggled at how very wide their mouths seemed I oohed and ahhed at their desperation To be nourished, how mom went back and forth Back and forth For hours to find the food from a hidden source I woke early the next day Having planned all my errands around birdwatching I got excited thinking how I would watch these babies grow I went outside, I hunkered down But momma Robin never came