if you feed the birds in thailand
...
If you feed the birds
in Thailand
a whole ecosystem erupts
around your home.
Bats sleep
in rolled leaves
of the banana tree.
Tree shrews
embarrass themselves
swinging from feeders.
The myna trills
in harmony with the magpie.
Leave water bowls
for house geckos—
they won’t come down,
and your cats won’t chase them.
It isn’t kindness.
They were here first.
And you don’t like mosquitoes—
they are good at eating mosquitoes.
So if you feed the birds
in Thailand
you get to watch life
explode.
So—
imagine, imagine
what would happen
if we fed the kids in Gaza.
What would spring
from full stomachs
and that unimaginable
human spirit?
If they could plant food
and watch ecosystems
burst into being—
instead of buildings collapsing,
instead of bones erupting—
there would be shelter,
and food,
and peace.
If you feed the birds in Thailand,
you get a whole world.
What would happen
if we fed the kids in Gaza?
About the Creator
River and Celia in Underland
Mad-hap shenanigans, scrawlings, art and stuff ;)
Poetry Collection, Is this All We Get?
Keep reading
More stories from River and Celia in Underland and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (12)
Wow... I wasn't ready for this. Well articulated C&R!!! Belated congrats on Top Story!!
This is such a powerful reflection. The simple act of feeding the birds in Thailand sparks life and harmony—yet the poem shifts the lens to Gaza, forcing us to confront what could flourish if children were nurtured instead of starved by conflict. It’s heartbreaking, but also a vision of hope: the human spirit, like an ecosystem, can bloom when given care and sustenance.
The message of this is very powerful, River. I read Gabriel's comment and echo his sentiment about this piece entirely. Birds bring me so much joy and seeing what is happening in Gaza breaks my heart.
This is a masterclass in subtle activism through poetry. The shift from the serenity of Thailand’s wildlife to the tragedy of Gaza is handled with grace and emotional precision.
I loved this piece from the start - the reflections on birds and their role in an ecosystem across the world were so lovely - and then that turn. Masterful, concise, powerful, true...This sort of poem shouldn't have to exist, but given the broken and evil days we are living through - I am so very glad that it does. Like The Dani Writer said, plaster this everywhere. Thank you for writing this. So glad it got a Top Story. <3
Clear poetic-filled justice with the highest dose of "You can't make common sense more common and compassionate than that." Plaster this everywhere. Glad that your story was featured!
A very powerful juxtaposition- a really good gut punch
This is a powerful comparison to the catastrophe going on in Gaza. You do very well with the transition from the peaceful image of feeding birds and creating a booming ecosystem in Thailand to starving children in war-torn Gaza. Well done, and congrats on the Top Story!
Dear Celia & River—So glad uz are feeling comfortable in your new home! I had rice noodles 🍜 Thai food the other day and thought of you! I have blue 🐦 Birds taking Peanuts🥜 from my hands each morning before they allow me to pass by! So how’s Poe 🐈 with the spicy 🌶 food? “Slam” Poetry? Hmm! MzUz Jj.in.l.a.
Avid birder here, and I love the parallel to Gaza. Beautiful work! 🐦
I feed the birds in my garden, and it is great that they deal with the pests. Excellent words
Powerful and simple reasoning with which to sway hearts and minds. You have a clear eye and a strong heart.