The opening lines of “Rara Avis” by Boyle are instantly captivating. He used words to paint a beautiful picture of this mysterious bird perched upon the furniture store. For a moment it almost seems like his is describing some supernatural being or goddess type figure. The way the citizens of his town react supports the mystical aura of the bird, they stop and stare in wonder then the mood shift to an almost festival feeling in honor the the creature gracing them with its visit. A mesmerizing and curious way to being his story.
He then moves on to tell of another gathering in his town this one not out of fun but out of horror as they watch a house go up in flames. The narrator’s tone is much different, shifted from joy and amazement to fear and guilt. Every sign points me to believe this little boy has caused the fire or at least wished for it or worse to happen. After all, he reveals what could have only been a traumatic moment for him in his time there with Wayne and Janine.
The only thing that could have triggered such messed up thoughts in a kid is the fact that it was him who had harmed that bird all those years ago. Revealing the injury in the final moment of his story, the wound no doubt horrifying and disgusting against the bird’s majestic feathers. The image burned into the little boys mind forever. If he could harm such beauty, even on accident, what else would he become capable of.