Once, you walked into a park; it was quite deserted.
And then you saw it.
A bird looking right at you, like it had been waiting for you.
Flying past the Elm and Holly, it perched itself on your shoulder.
You swatted it away; you were not used to being liked.
It came back. Sat on your head this time.
You left the park, wanting to get away from it.

Two days later, you came back.
The bird was sitting on a pole, looking quite lonely.
Too far to tell, but you were sure it was looking at you.
Somehow, It looked wistful. You were sure you were losing your mind.
But then the bird disappeared for a few moments.
It came back with a berry in its beak and dropped it in your lap.
You left the park, smiling to yourself, holding the fruit.

The next day, you brought your pet canary to see it.
You waited on the bench for the bird to come,
You'd brought seeds for it.
Hours passed, it didn't come; you turned around to leave.
It was behind you the entire time, watching from a distance.
You took a step toward it, it flew away.
You were afraid this would happen; you hurt it.
You left the park, taking back an empty cage. You'd set your canary free.

A month later, you decided to check up on your little friend.
You weren't sure what changed, but as soon as you entered
It came to you, and you didn't shoo it away this time.
You reached out and caressed it; it wasn't as fragile as you thought.

Until a tabby scratched it.
You left the park, a feather tightly clenched in your hand.

You haven't visited the park in a long time.
But somehow, today, two years later
You find yourself coming back.
You finally decide it's time to return the feather that you've kept all this time.
You light the feather, put it on the bench, and watch it burn .