Soldier

Several sparrows are on the sidewalk eating the last of my bird seed

I’m sit on a downtown bench with the sun slowly rising over the buildings

I can feel the warmth on my face

As hues of dark gray become brighter

A little cricket is trying to climb my shoe

Maybe he wants to be friends

He faces me and does not move

Perhaps I am trespassing

With the feeding done, I put my empty bag in my coat

As the street begins to fill with people. I get up to leave

To return to work, as an apology to the cricket

For visiting his domain he so valiantly guards