Kelly Murashige

The yosuzume were seen by many but known by very few. Unlike the daytime sparrow, the birds sang only in darkness. In the loneliest mountain passes, and along heavily treed roads, they clustered like ferrofluid and watched for travelers in the night.

The yosuzume sang for many reasons, none of which they could vocalize. Reason one was because, deep down, they all wished they were sparrows. Reason two: they liked the way the humans stared at them while they sang.

The last and most important reason: in all the gloom, the birds wanted something bright. With no one but each other, they created what they could, hoping if they sang loud enough, the beauty would shine through.

Hear us, they shouted. Love us. Hold us. For once, please, someone, stay.

They waited, eager and hopeful, for someone to light the way.