A Robin Sighting

Friday afternoon, after work, I
walk in the front door, to be
greeted by my wife.  The upstairs
TV isn’t working.  Downstairs,
a creature rattling around in
 the wood-burning stove’s
chimney pipe is way too noisy.

 
At least there’s no misbehaving child,
no battle of wits to arbitrate.

 
Go outside, open the soot door,
go inside,  rattle the chimney pipe,
go outside, wait.  Nothing happens.

 
Go inside, open the damper, wait,
go outside, close the soot door,
go inside, a robin stares at me.