Broken Wing

In the woods, at the bottom of open bowl in the mountains, the Man Who Lives Alone in the Mountains exists in solitude and simplicity. His days are spent caring for his garden and observing the birds and creatures that visit his home. His nights are spent in a contemplative world of music, poetry, letter writing, and, most importantly, bird watching. As November arrives and The Man prepares for winter, he notices an injured bird, shiny and black, holding his own amongst bullying blue jays. He is drawn to the bird's spirit of survival and freedom, and names it Broken Wing. Since his only neighbors are a couple of hostile brothers and their bird-hunting cat, Broken Wing becomes a source of inspiration a friend. As fall changes to winter and back to spring, The Man's dreams of Broken Wing give way to meditations on the peaks and valleys of life, the passage of time, and the poetry of nature.


Genre: Literary Fiction

"A rusty blackbird and The an Who Lives Alone in the Mountains are both signature characters from hermit-obsessed mind and heart of David Budbill. All of his life David Budhill has paid homage to this iconic poet recluses of China by imparting their philosophical dignity, eccentricity, and spiritual probity into his beloved north country. Broken Wing is both a continuation of that project--and an autonomously haunting allegory. A prolific and passionate writer, a beautiful story." - Howard Norman