The last hummingbird
arrives at the feeder
all aflutter
in late September,
a final sip before flying
home for the winter.
Carl watches the bird
as he has all summer
through the fog of age.
He now calls Cassandra
after all these years
and asks her to dinner.
Cassandra says yes
and wears the red dress
he gave her one Christmas
when they were together.
Gracious as ever
Cassandra understands.
She feeds hummingbirds too
and takes Carl home.
Donal Mahoney