Cardinal

305 E. Crawford

This is an homage to a dear family friend, Stuart. Stuart is a Northern Cardinal, Cardialis  cardinalis, Order Passeriformes, Family Cardinalidae, Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata.  About six years ago Stuart showed up at my house and proceeded to bang his head on  windows, dog bowls, doors, car doors, anything that has a slight reflection. He wakes me at  sunrise and performs his task daily without relent. Tap, tap, tap - ding, ding, ding ad infinitum.  On occasion he will disappear for a couple of weeks but always returns and I am both  relieved and sad. He brings me joy and distress. He has a girlfriend since last year but this  doesn’t stop his Sisyphean assault on my life. She proudly stands by and watches his solo  gladiatorial spectacle. I’ve named her Tammy. Cardinals can live up to 18 years. Ugh.