I’m an early bird. I like the term ‘early bird.’ It’s an honor to be able to liken myself to a bird. Furthermore, it suggests that among birds themselves, both early and late risers exist. Imagine a family of daddy bird, mommy bird, and baby birds—could it be that one of the family members often wakes up earlier than the others? Perhaps it’s the daddy bird who sneaks out of the nest as the sun rises to contemplate the morning dew. His wife wakes up amidst the kids’ morning tantrums to find him already outside their nest. ‘What can I do about it?’ he smiles at her, ‘I’m an early bird.’
My favorite moment of the week is waking up early on Sunday morning while my partner is still asleep. My partner often enjoys his weekends by sleeping in until 10 or 11 o’clock. While he remains sound asleep, I would quietly slip out of bed, don comfy clothes, and tread softly to the living room on my socks. The cat, alerted by my sudden movements, would follow me and softly meow until I’ve served his breakfast. Then, I would have the entire morning to myself, with no particular plans. I’d stand by the window with a cup of hot coffee in my hands. I love gazing at our street from the window. It’s 7 o’clock, and the whole neighborhood seems to still be asleep. Occasionally, I spot another early bird. It’s often a young man on a tiny scooter with a giant helmet on his head, a sleepless grandfather walking down the street with a wooden cane in one hand, or an energetic young woman jogging in tight clothes with her dog on a leash. In summer, the early morning light warms up the entire living room. In winter, I enjoy the thick mist outside. Occasionally, I can hear the sound of my partner stretching or sighing in his sleep. The cat must have licked his face.
I relish being alone and having nothing to do. This is when I can let my mind wander and contemplate myself and my surroundings. As I settle back into my cozy chair after coffee, I can feel my facial muscles relaxing. My eyes are soft, my eyebrows feel light, and my jaw is at ease. I value these peaceful moments, as they are hard to come by in the presence of others. Sometimes, my cat comes and rubs his head against my legs to request food. Yet, he is rather forgetful. After a while, he dozes off next to my feet, dreaming of his favorite kibbles.
Before long, the neighborhood will awaken, and everyday life will resume. On a rooftop across the street, a group of early birds perch near the chimney.
Linh Dong 