kindred spirit

there was a sparrow in the subway station today at 125th and broadway. i didn't mean to end up there—i was suckered by the D on a local track. i wondered how the sparrow got in here in the first place, if it had ever been on a train and if it missed the sky. it landed on the edge of the platform directly across from me, and turned my way. i had a piece of cosi bread in my bag. i broke off a bit and knelt down. the sparrow stayed perfectly still. i reached out in front of me and put the piece exactly in the middle of us. you won't believe me, but i swear she looked into my eyes. she was hesitating to get the bread and just looking at me. i wanted to know everything about her life in that one moment. i wanted to help her out of the subway. maybe she knew the way, but didn't want to go. she snatched up the bread and took off down the platform. i stayed on my knee until i couldn't see her anymore. when i got up, i had to wipe away a tear. she was a bird who had lost the sky.