The Ripple Effect

A busy street bustling with traffic
A sea of commuters on a narrow sidewalk 
Children, office goers, travelers, vendors, the young and the old 
all scurrying to beat the clock


Suddenly a cry of pain 
I try to see what it is,
look above me
I see a tree arm spread over my head


And my eyes spot a tiny little bird in a big mess
it's foot tangled in thin aerial roots of the big banyan tree
My feet refuse to move past the tree 
I look around, determined to help the poor thing


I don't know how, I only know I have to
The sea of commuters still marching past me 
Some see the bird, yet carry on with a sigh


Wandering in dismay I spot a broom 
hiding behind a palm grove
grabbing it I run up to the tree
But alas it's too short!


Standing on the tip of my toes
I try to reach the bird with all my might
I know the broom stick is too short 
But I don't want to stop


The sea of commuters suddenly seems to be interested
A man and a woman comes along and joins the mission 
Another young man climbs up the tree 
And finally sets the bird free!


The sea of commuters, 
Now our spectators
Gives a hearty cheer 
As my little bird flies away with a glee