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Aerial Burial

Published August 1, 2019

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

The yellow body on the bridge caught my eyes and I pulled the mules to a halt. A yellow warbler dead on the cement. I scooped it up in my gloved hand. I could do better.

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Dead yellow warbler held in gloved hand after being found on Nebraska bridge during cross-country mule ride — I think it was a warbler. If you know more about this bird leave me a comment in the comment section.

Dead yellow warbler lying on bridge cement as found by Bernie Harberts during Nebraska mule ride — The bird as I found it.

Dying on a bridge is a lonely way to go. No rotting away gently in the grassy shoulder. No feeding the vultures. You just dry up and one day a semi blows you through the bridge cracks in to the creek below.

Undignified.

Dead yellow warbler on bridge pavement in front of crack with mule Cracker visible during Nebraska mule ride — The warbler as I found it. You can see its yellow body just in front of the crack in the pavement.

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

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One Response to Aerial Burial

Julia on August 1, 2019 at 10:15 am

I love something about this piece of writing but can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s just simple and beautiful.

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Aerial Burial

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