Excellent comment, A. As readers, we can either feel connected to a story and its characters or not. Although these characters are flawed, they impacted you, and as an author, that's very satisfying to hear.
I am not, however, happy that it triggered you..
Fiction mirrors real life, or something like that. In Ben's case, he feels an affinity towards the character he portrayed, although he doesn't understand it at this point in time. You should visit Colorado sometime. There are many beautiful spots. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, A.
@Mancunian Thanks for contributing to the conversation. I agree that we should not judge someone until we've walked a mile in their shoes. We can never know someone's personal story unless we're receptive to discovering it. Even then, judgment occurs. It's part of human nature. I'm on a journey to be better about it, but I'm still guilty. We should lead our lives with compassion; if we can't manage that, then we're in trouble.
Another Springtime bird I'm happy to see is killdeer that show up at a small pond near my office. I've only ever seen this one lineage; a new generation arrives back each year, produces one or two offspring that hang out at the pond for a short time, then they go off to wherever they go next. The chicks are damn cute, the little buggers.
Yeah, I'm a bit of bird watcher... so what?
The first sights and sounds of a robin in Spring bring me great joy. I look forward to their arrival every year. As for the cowbird... what cruel opportunists. They should have Turdus in their name.
Wonderful poems, Parker!
It goes back to the recurring question, "What is normal?" Who can really say? People change all the time, but diversity is constant. We should stop fighting against that so hard. Thanks for reading, Mike. I value your comments.