Mountain and Hummingbird Bee

The Mountain and the Hummingbird Bee

by Orde Levinson, Artist and Writer, Magdalen College, Oxford University, United Kingdom 

When I think of Infinity all that comes to mind is the image generated by some words I recall. I cannot even remember if the words were part of a poem or song but they resonated then and now for me.

Imagine a mountain 1000 miles square, and every 1000 years a little bird comes to the mountain to sharpen its beak. And when the mountain is thus worn away that is infinity.

As I think again, now, about what these words signified I know I had always imagined the little bird to be something like a hummingbird bee. To check my imagination – and the beak of the humming bird - I was pleased to note today it is said to be the smallest known bird, beautiful with a slight red streak and the bee hummingbird fitting easily into the palm of a hand. A long tongue too. At the same time, I had imagined the mountain as a solid mass of rock – without any growth. Beautiful too in its massiveness and imposing stature. Perhaps, a blue-black colour. Perhaps, even smiling as it welcomes its once in a 1000 years colourful visitor.

Orde Levinson, Artist and Writer, Magdalen College, Oxford University, United Kingdom 

December 2, 2024