chick alone 2

I'm walking to the bus stop from the train station, 

cutting across a green corridor in the city centre 

when a small movement by a tree catches my eye

A chick

round brown perfection 

pecking all by its small self

no protective hen in sight 

I tremble to see one 

so close alone 

blissfully unaware

I take in 

the arc of its yellow beak

the shades of brown and black feathers overlapping

cupping the bird like two warm palms

as it picks up a pale morsel, 

swallows and turns on delicate twigs 

each with three tender claws

that I can almost feel walking in my hand

But it is earth that holds it, 

not me 

who can only hold it in my gaze

Stay safe i pray

Stay safe little one

When i finally walk off 

I spot the family

A good 50 meters away 

Red jungle fowl rooster, hen

two chicks darting in between them

pecking diligently 

I want to yell

What about the other,

don't lose him,

now unseen in the grass,

just coz he tends to lose his way

like my son

wandering off on his own 

distracted by food friends green grass

Stay safe little one, stay safe

When i board the bus 

I slip away from the stolen moment

before panic

Of a baby cheeping high-pitched

Of parents running back and forth frantic

Of the youngster in the jaws or claws of a predator

Anything could happpen

Stay safe little one

Stay safe