The birds come back first, though it’s seven degrees out.
I watch them: raucous, small-bodied rebels, singing in the trees. Red-breasted balls of blue fluff, they wear their colors as a dare — an act of defiance against February’s gray.
I watch them: hopping. Chattering. They warble and catcall, leaving a complicated series of footprints on the snow, like the steps of some wild and tribal sort of dance.
As if winter was a thing to be laughed at.
And maybe it is.
*
I dress for dinner.
Though I’m unsure of it, I slip on a pair of electric-blue stilettos. Twirl in front of the mirror, just to try it. Tip back my head and laugh.
And it still feels like an act, so I wear all-black instead, and go out into the gray in more orderly fashion.
*
Still: I am listening to the birds, and I am learning.
Tonight I set out those blue shoes, thinking, perhaps. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day, when there are a few more signs of spring.
In the meantime, I purse my lips and practice a little whistle…
*
Oh, friends. Hear me…
There are a thousand little ways to be brave. ❤
ASHLEY WILSON FELLERS 
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You pulled me right into your world of gray and blue and birdsong. Just lovely.
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Aw, I’m so glad, Miriam. The birds bring me such cheer this time of year. Happy I could pass on a little of their exuberance! 🙂
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Fantastic. You have inspired me to go for the blue stilettos.
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As well you should, Andy. 😉
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Tempting spring, I love it!
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Indeed! Your art makes me feel the same way lately. 🙂
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This is great! May each of us try one brave new thing every day!
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I really love that goal. Hear hear! 🙂
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Bad-ass birds. Bad-ass you. ❤️
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I couldn’t help but smile when I read this comment, Kyana… Right back at ya, lady! 😉
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Sassy, sassy, sassy!!! LOVE it.
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Thank you, Steve! It’s good to be sassy sometimes. 😉
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Hahaha. Agreed.
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🙂
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There’s so much poetry, truth, and beauty in your words. I feel you!
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Yay! You’re a kindred spirit, for sure! 🙂
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Picturing you twirling in your blue stilettos makes me smile and laugh with joy. I saw a flock of robins yesterday in the snow and my heart surged. Soon it will be spring! The temperature this weekend is supposed to be 60 with sun, and it is either a wicked tease or a sweet little taste of what is to come. A little something to sustain us through these last, few, bleak weeks. I’m going with the latter.
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I’m with you!!
So many cheerful reminders that the warmth is on its way. :). Right around the corner now!
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Let’s all warble in unison.
(Warble? Had to look it up. And they say it comes from a french dialect)
😉
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Ha! Never would have guessed. You learn something new every day.
Warble on, friend! 🙂
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Chirp, chirp, chirp…
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😉
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