I have had both ends of this gentle poem in my experience. 4 years ago I felled a tree in our yard and was dismayed to find a finch had come down with it. I held him for a few minutes, then tried moving his head. He woke! He screamed! He flew crazily away and perched on another tree. I was so happy for him --so relieved. I wish I could have provided such service to absent friends.
I had another experience recently with a northern flicker that flew against my window, a long stem of grass still in his beak ... I held him, then placed him near a tree ... he finally flew over the lilac hedge ... hopefully, to complete freedom.
I love your last thought ... oh, to have that possibility.
The birds we have rescued - and the ones for which there was no hope. Hope and despair are sometimes quite close. This was quite poignant for me, Teresa. Thank you.
I was bereft at seeing this beautiful bird as it passed ... I laid it in the grass under the trees, hoping its mate would find it, and at least know ... with the passing of someone I knew, the timing was beautiful and strange ... I felt as though they were one and the same ... as they were, of course.
All of those who live share equally in mortality.
ReplyDelete... an arresting thought in its simple, yet profound truth.
DeleteI have had both ends of this gentle poem in my experience. 4 years ago I felled a tree in our yard and was dismayed to find a finch had come down with it. I held him for a few minutes, then tried moving his head. He woke! He screamed! He flew crazily away and perched on another tree. I was so happy for him --so relieved. I wish I could have provided such service to absent friends.
ReplyDeleteI had another experience recently with a northern flicker that flew against my window, a long stem of grass still in his beak ... I held him, then placed him near a tree ... he finally flew over the lilac hedge ... hopefully, to complete freedom.
DeleteI love your last thought ... oh, to have that possibility.
The birds we have rescued - and the ones for which there was no hope. Hope and despair are sometimes quite close. This was quite poignant for me, Teresa. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was bereft at seeing this beautiful bird as it passed ... I laid it in the grass under the trees, hoping its mate would find it, and at least know ... with the passing of someone I knew, the timing was beautiful and strange ... I felt as though they were one and the same ... as they were, of course.
Delete