The above April 15, 2024 New Yorker Magazine cover, "Undercover" by Peter de Seve, an American artist born in NYC in 1958 and a graduate of Parsons, School of Design, feels joyful My caption is: “Hi, we’re back!”
I first celebrated birds when I was bedridden in a rehab center after my legs gave out from under me, thanks to a spinal fracture complicated by osteoporosis. I spent many hours lying on my back, interrupted only only by wonderful staff, running in and out with various meds and my three meals, most of which I ate with my hands because it was how I could reach the food while flat on my back—and save myself from the humiliation of having to be spoon-fed.
The birds simply re-appeared one day and signaled: “Hi we’re back.”
My favorite chirping champion here is the little yellow one, just to the upper right of center. She is singing her heart out—showing off and feeling inordinately proud of herself.
To me these birds are more victorious than the battlers of Cinco de Mayo. Birds capture hearts by being quite naturally who they are.
Do we really have to fight just to be—just to be¿
