Fervid Feathers

Under a cloudless spring sky, the afternoon sun burnished every wing and feather with a brilliant sheen. Their restless movements through sun, shade, and breeze inspired the following poem, drafted with an HB pencil on a very warm afternoon at the café.

Fervid Feathers



The burnished birds
have warily bathed enough
under spring’s hot midday sun.

Their reflective, fervid feathers
shimmer like sails
of sleek black satin.

Then, frantically, the sun-polished birds
follow the flighty dragonflies and bees
into the succoring shady trees.

Refreshing their fervid feathers
in the afternoon’s soothing
sea breeze.




As the afternoon heat fades into a soothing sea breeze, here is a charming little song to accompany today’s feathered observations, and one that may be new to some readers.

Ivor Steven © October 2026