if we view humanity as birds we notice that together they create beautiful patterns in their airborne flocks; yet the hummingbird is a singular jewel; living at a speed and intensity far beyond the grasp of the average bird. The reward for such a life is to be beautiful within singularity. to be a universe of energy contained within the fluttering breast of such a frail beast. "When the Trochilidae Die" is a collection of poetic works by Clinton J. Ruttan. although some of the work reaches as far back as "The Summer of Sunflowers" (2011) a majority of the work was completed between 2015 and early 2016. Exploring the poetic style of one who attempts to create without boarders, "When the Trochilidae Die" is akin to holding the beating heart of the hummingbird in your hand. A journey through beauty, love, heartbreak, self discovery, even the infinite void.