The Sparrow

At 6:00 AM, I was awoken by birds chirping at first light in the elm trees below my window. Yesterday morning, on my way to the kitchen for a croissant and tea, I heard pigeons cooing at the trapdoor to the roof. Yesterday afternoon, while enjoying a tomato salad at a little café in the marché aux puces, I listened to a woman singing some Edith Piaf. I’m not used to all these birds. Granted, pigeons do like to hang out on the fire escape across 75th street, but they always seem removed and quiet. Well, I suppose I’ll get up here and get ready to go out. Stores are open for a VERY limited amount of time on sundays, if at all, and I need to buy a lightbulb, an allen wrench, and some hangers.