The Boy and The Bird

A little boy watches, the tiny sparrow
Skipping from tree to tree
Jumpy and skittish as an untrained arrow
Eluding, and flitting awing

Patiently he waits, coaxing with care
Knowing he mustn’t stray
A target so precious and easy to scare
Performing a practiced ballet

Each day, the boy, insists upon
Seeing the little bird
Crooning words of love at dawn
His empty days quite cured

Gradually the sparrow allows the boy
To come closer and closer still
The little bird, no longer so coy
With a flip of her tail and a trill

Day in, and day out for months
Their greatest secrets are told
Laughing and joking at once
Their hearts begin to unfold

One day while they are together
Uneasiness comes about
The bird left behind a feather
When she went with a shadow called doubt

Soothing her qualms he calls to her
Begging the bird to stay near
Seeing what they are and what they were
She repents her misguided fear

As the bird returns to the boy
An evil deed stirs, in his heart
He grabs at her wing like a toy
Bent on breaking it apart

She nimbly skips to the side
For, prepared for this, is she
Insight and instinct are allied
And the boy falls short to his knee

As she flutters quickly away
A heat rises in her breast
For the sparrow, tis not been a day
Yet an arrow protrudes from her chest

Falling to earth, an injured dove
So hopeless and helpless are we
None easier in this world to love
And none more willingly freed

The Solo

Standing there upon the stage, a young girl shivers and shakes.
The curtain is drawn; it stands as the only barrier between her and them.
The ripples give way to shadows that taunt her every breath.
So vulnerable and alone, she quakes with fear awaiting the inevitable.
Heart beating, palms sweating, she runs her tongue over parched lips.
Her throat is dry and constricting, every muscle quivers with tension.
She holds her breath, closes her eyes, exhaling slowly to calm her racing thoughts.
A thin light appears growing steadily, apprehension melts away; the music begins.
Stepping out, she sees but one, peace envelops her as the measures drift away.
Holding out the gift given her, all else is of no importance.
The Solo becomes a Duet, the gift is received and immortality known.

Letter to My Beloved

I wish you could see me now, with the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. A simple ponytail fails to keep wispy bangs from falling across my bright and smiling blue eyes. My pink lips part in laughter with the thrill of spring. Gone are the tears of winter and the sorrows of autumn. My blue jeans and t-shirt reflect my care free attitude. Muddy Ariats slosh through the slush and rounded hoof prints form more hesitantly behind. Amarillo Sky drones in the distance as I crouch down beside a tiny trickle of water pushing a path from the melting snow, through a dusty piece of pasture, to the newly sprouting grass peaking up at the fence line. My Golden’s nose nuzzles into the crook of my arm and I reward her with a quick peck right between her large, brown, adoring eyes. I feel alive and beautiful as the soft spring air plays with my hair twirling it in his gentle fingers as I long for you to do. The smell and feel of this moment are indescribable. Everywhere and in everything I can see the creator’s touch. This is all uncontainable. I feel like dancing and singing for I cannot hold it in. I’m spinning around in the sunshine with no one to see me but my Savior and my pets. A pony snort makes me turn to find my indignant friend watching from across a sea of snow. Scoffing at his fears I retrace my steps. As I plead for his forgiveness I feel a little warm body push past my leg, dressing my jeans in a new fur coat. I laugh and move away from the offender after patting him on the head. As I bend over to brush the kitty fur from my pant leg a large sloppy tongue slurps up my cheek extracting a giggle. The air is warm and clean, and I’m given the illusion of flying without actually leaving the ground. Green is not just a color in this place. It is an aromatic smell, a glorious sensation, a hopeful melody, a graceful bird, a victorious anthem. Such a wonderful God has given this moment to me. If only you were here… Someday I will see you, but I wish that you could see me now.

Young Heartache

So many young see death before it’s time.
So many youth have known hell on earth,
Only to escape to a much greater hell.
Souls die when body does not,
Perishing hearts flee the scorners.
Only ever when in necessity,
Or for the good of another.
Should we relinquish a one we cherish.
Why then this dreadful pain
Which surrenders to ruin all that is?
All that could be, all that should be,
All that is, was, and has been…
Gone, in an instant forevermore they are.