Frozen feathers - Haiku

during frigid temps

doves bathe in ice cold water

feathers frozen stiff

There's a story behind this, of course. The sump pump came on and I watched to make sure it was clear. I watched the water pour into the depression in the garden and saw doves had congregated. As the depth of water rose the doves jumped in for a bath. Mind you it was -15C and I as a watcher could only shudder.

They futtered about, rejoicing in fresh clean water to bathe in. Soon the flow from the hose ceased and I watched as they stood, searching and wandering why there was no more flowing water. Their posture was “what!, where did the water go!” as I laughed. It was one of those moments.