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CYCLE OF LIFE

 


CYCLE OF LIFE

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

18/IV/2023

 

Early morning... When it is still dark, I think I should take a walk in the park…. That is generally my routine. Birds would be chirping and announcing dawn. Moths and insects now make way to their hiding places, lest they become a snack. Flower buds give a hint that I shall bloom today. What a wonderful world it is.

 

By the time one returns the sun is sliding up the buildings opposite. The earth has tilted. In winters the sun would rise behind the fourth house on the right but now it is bang infront of our house, shifting about three houses. Of course, the sun is now getting closer and brighter. The crimson doesn’t stay that long. Before one realises, it starts to roast you. Afternoons you can understand.

 

Be that as it may. Lovey-Dovey the doves who now are our friends rise high, spread their wings, coo to their lungs capacity and come and sit on the lamppost post infront of our house. They sing their own song, probably wooing me with that melody to refill their grain feeder, which I do religiously. Hop-skip and jump they are into the feeder, balancing, cooing, watching each other’s back, enjoying their meal and fluttering as they go back to their favourite perch to continue cooing.

 

My wife walked in with my ritualistic cup of tea and we witnessed a very high-speed bird chase. With the sun in our eyes, it was difficult to make out which bird was chasing whom. The black figures just dashed past, meandering through the trees.

 

It was Mr Nasty Crow. He had something in his beak and my instinct told me it was a baby dove. He would have found out where they were nesting and taken one. I hope they have more than one in the nest. With a firm grip Nasty was not ready to give up so easily. Nor were Lovey-Dovey.

 

At a point of time, we saw feathers, most probably of the crow drifting ground wards, but this guy was determined. Lovey-Dovey finally gave up after a fifteen-minute dog fight. They gave in the best and did whatsoever to save their creation of love. But destiny had to snatch this little one before it could join the parents to come and enjoy grains with us.

 

Lovey-Dovey came and sat on the pole and it was a sight which I witnessed for the first time. Lovey the mom probably must be hurt deep inside and crying, while Dovey the dad was consoling her. Kissing her and giving her love bites on her beak.  Reassuring her that even with the tragedy they have to move on and look after what is left in the nest. She kissed him back.

 

My wife became too sentimental and walked inside.  I stood there and called out to them. They looked at me with melancholic eyes. The tragedy was too fresh. Instead of rushing towards their feeder they flew away, I assume to their nest.

 

This is life all about. Someone has to die for someone to live. Their world is ruthless. Even mankind can be shot point blank under the highest protection. One went to the grave and the bird went into someone's stomach. When will Lovey-Dovey return to normal? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© ® NOEL ELLIS

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