Laid bare upon the grass
this tiny thing,
already viewed as prey
though not yet equipped
for fight or flight,
too much demanded to soon
of a newly formed heart
still rehearsing its beat.
I form a cradle,
makeshift nest
in the palm of my hand
where it sits motionless,
stunned by an overwhelming
iceberg of fear.
How can anything this small
be so complete?
I feel privileged for the
closeness of the moment,
this timeless piece of time,
caress the silky back of
miniscule speckles,
underbelly a mass of fluffy down,
frantic pulse of new life
determined not to quit.
A powerful silence
as we both wait;
I could burst with love.
Minutes pass;
fear finally abates,
a cue to unfold my hand.
A nearby buddleia bush
sways in the evening breeze,
protective arms open wide,
a bivouac of branches
for a small handful of life
waiting to soar.
The world is a big place.
Pete Armetta
Jul 24, 2014 @ 11:30:10
Gorgeous way to start the morning.
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 11:40:48
Thank you very much Pete.
Ina
Jul 24, 2014 @ 11:53:00
Lovely poem ! Sometimes it feels we have the whole world and all truth in the palm of our hand, just for a second, and then it flies off… L&H xx
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 12:03:59
That’s exactly how it felt Ina š L&H xx
PookyH
Jul 24, 2014 @ 11:54:37
This is beautiful. I could see it perfectly in my mind’s eye.
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 12:04:44
Thanks very much Pooky. And congrats on your book x
Cynthia Jobin
Jul 24, 2014 @ 12:56:34
This is momentous….yes it’s poignant, emotional, tugs at the heart, but it’s also thoughtful, wry, philosophical. It’s new, Christine, not as vision or feeling–those are always clear and true in your poems—bu this one crosses over into richer territory, where poetry is not just therapy, it’s pure poetry, beautifully crafted. That wonderful last line is perfect, and says it all. Congratulations!
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:22:04
Wow Cynthia, this is such an encouraging comment and fills me with smiles. I set great store by what you say and I will carry these words with me when self doubt creeps in as it so often does. Thank you. By the way this has been altered and tweaked for about two weeks and I needed to let it escape before I ruined it! š
Cynthia Jobin
Jul 24, 2014 @ 14:34:19
Yup, timing is everything…..overworking can be a ruination, but it’s also important (as in meat and bread) to let it rest awhile…..
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 14:39:04
š š
Peter Wells aka Countingducks
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:00:04
Lovely sense of beauty and frailty in the palm of a hand. Says so much doesn’t it
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:23:07
Thank you Peter; it was a rather precious moment.
Denise Earnshaw
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:04:45
Hi, This is a really beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it.
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:27:40
Thank you very much Denise, for visiting and for your lovely comment.
Through My Eyes
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:06:19
Beautifully written Christine, so full of hope… something that the world needs at this time. So poignant and refreshing xx š
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 13:24:46
Thank you very much Norma. Yes you are so right; we need so much hope right now. As well as being big the world is very frightening and sad.
lscotthoughts
Jul 24, 2014 @ 14:22:55
“The Beginning” so beautifully expressed, Chris. A lovely, tender image conveyed and I love “I could burst with love.” The world is a big place, indeed. ā„ xo
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 14:40:37
Thanks so much Lauren. It was one of those very special moments, special because they are so rare. ā¤ļø Xx
Wendy Macdonald
Jul 24, 2014 @ 16:08:45
Christine, this is so beautifully and lovingly written. I could see you there gently cupping this little one in your compassionate hands.
Blessings ~ Wendy ā
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 17:01:16
Thank you so much Wendy. It did feel like a very special moment. Love x
Jackie
Jul 24, 2014 @ 17:44:43
Amazing poem, Christine! Thank you for sharing this beautiful and special moment using your poetic prowess. Xx
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 18:03:06
Thank you Jackie for this lovely comment. I wanted the moment to last longer! We were quite a few minutes together though; it felt very special. X
harulawordsthatserve
Jul 24, 2014 @ 19:04:25
Beautiful Christine, absolutely beautiful. What a moment – that’s a memory that will never fade. So precious. What I get from your poem is the magic paradox of life being both utterly, rawly, desperately vulnerable, and at the same time so very strong, powerful and full of will and desire for being. Great job my friend! Hugs, Harula xxxx
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 19:56:55
Thank so much Harula. And you have hit the nail on the head! And Im so pleased that came across, both the vulnerability and strength side by side, which is applicable for us all I think. Love and hugs xxx
bardessdmdenton
Jul 24, 2014 @ 20:42:11
This is an exquisite poem, Christine! I felt as if you were holding the world … all life … every mystery … in your hand. The world IS a big place … but compassion begins small and grows, with unlimited possibilities. So glad you captured this very special moment. Just lovely. XO ā¤
journeyintopoetry
Jul 24, 2014 @ 20:55:07
Thank you so much Diane. It was one of those moments that I wanted to last and last. While it happened it was like time had stopped, very special. ā¤ļø Xxx
Minuscule Moments
Jul 24, 2014 @ 21:11:52
Beautiful and delicate. A moment in time to delight in and you have described it perfectly. I am awestruck when nature visits me like this Christine.
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 09:10:36
Thank you very much Kath. It is very rare we have the privilege of being so dlose to our companions in nature. This special moment seemed to deepen my perspective of connectedness.
kathryningrid
Jul 25, 2014 @ 01:00:49
Magnificent. The tenderness with which you held your charge in your hands is matched by that with which you lead us through the reverie on it, sweet, strong and encouraging in the truest of ways. Powerful stuff. Not just this baby but each of us, too, is in one way or another new and rehearsing how to do or be what’s needed, and it’s a gift when kind hands and hearts are there to lift us up, as you do so beautifully with this poem.
xoxoxo,
Kath
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 09:15:14
Thank you Kathryn; your comments are always so beautifully thought through and meaningful and I appreciate the time you give them, thank you. This was indeed a very special moment and I agree with you, we are, ourselves, always rehearsing. I may have lifted this tiny bird up but it lifted me more than it will ever know. I felt humbled in its presence. xxxx
leamuse
Jul 25, 2014 @ 08:24:47
Oh Christine, that is so moving! It is humbling to have such a fragile life be so vulnerable to you. Fortunately, it was in safe hands. Love xxx
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 09:17:00
Thank you very much Lea. I know this precious moment will stay with me and as I said to Kathryn, I may have lifted this tiny bird up but it lifted me in ways it will never know.
Love xxx
leamuse
Jul 25, 2014 @ 09:29:05
Absolutely Christine! I am very touched by the images and it has taken my words away, albeit momentarily.
Love
xxx
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 09:39:36
Xxxx š
leamuse
Jul 25, 2014 @ 09:48:58
Xxxx š
Rob McShane
Jul 25, 2014 @ 12:59:44
You caught the moment beautifully Christine…your words better than a camera, your imagery better than a picture….and with so much more meaning! Wow! š
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 13:11:09
Thank you very much Rob, this is such a lovely encouraging comment for me. It certainly was a precious moment. And you will be the only one on here who will know how scary it was because I so needed to rescue the little bird that I didn’t have time to get my rollator and ventured onto the grass without it! I managed but not without several wobbles š
Rob McShane
Jul 25, 2014 @ 13:13:37
makes it even more precious Christine! Thanks for sharing… Wobble we may, but fall? Not today! š A life saving moment in many ways! Beautiful!
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 13:56:45
š thank you!
Rob McShane
Jul 25, 2014 @ 14:11:52
š
SuzyHazelwood
Jul 25, 2014 @ 15:05:18
Aahh, what a joyful loving poem Christine! And perfect for summer too! š I wasn’t sure if it was a bee or a butterfly when I first read it, but on reading again I decided it was a baby bird. But I might be wrong again? So good of you to give it a little helping hand, your good deed of the day! So what happened after it was safely in that bush?
journeyintopoetry
Jul 25, 2014 @ 15:12:25
Thank you Suzy! Yes it was a tiny thrush. Once it flew into the bush I have no idea, it snuggled deep where I couldn’t see it. But it flew confidently into the bush, probably needed to rest a little more but Im confident it was going to be ok. I think a cat had been chasing it and it froze with fear and simply couldn’t move so was in more danger. Im so pleased I was able to help it to recover. Xx
beckarooney
Jul 27, 2014 @ 17:33:55
A beautiful, tenderly written poem, I could see this happening as if I was viewing it from my own eyes. A love-filled read š xx
journeyintopoetry
Jul 27, 2014 @ 18:07:00
Thanks so much Becky! It was a special moment I wont forget š xx
Polly
Jul 28, 2014 @ 03:50:03
This is a poem to be proud of, Christine. Like those who have commented before me, I love the way you’ve appealed to all senses; I too could feel that small bird in the palm of my hand. Liked the way you avoided naming the creature. Poetry of the first order, lovely.
journeyintopoetry
Jul 28, 2014 @ 08:30:32
Thanks very much Polly for your generous comment; I feel encouraged. It was a very special moment and now I have the poem the memory won’t fade. š
Betty Hayes Albright
Jul 29, 2014 @ 19:10:53
Oh Christine – what a tender, loving moment – this is beautifully written! That tiny life was suddenly the center of the universe.
journeyintopoetry
Jul 30, 2014 @ 13:37:32
Thank you very much Betty! It was a very special moment; it seemed the two of us were in our own world intent on one thing, and between us we did it. Xx
Bodhirose
Aug 02, 2014 @ 16:43:03
What a powerful and profound feeling you described here and done so tenderly. I am always grateful when I can assist our fellow creatures along the way. Loved your commentary as you waited and watched, Christine.
journeyintopoetry
Aug 02, 2014 @ 17:22:55
Thank you very much Gayle. I wanted this moment to last much longer but the privilege of holding the beautiful tiny bird, being trusted by it, is something I don’t think I will forget. X
Bodhirose
Aug 02, 2014 @ 21:11:28
I don’t easily forget those times with birds/animals either. Such an honor to have interactions with them. Hugs…
Laurel's Reflections
Aug 10, 2014 @ 13:18:38
You lead me (and us all) so poignantly through your experience – thank you for inviting us to share these magical minutes. Your poetry really has grown steadily richer and deeper – such a joy!
journeyintopoetry
Aug 10, 2014 @ 13:40:02
Thank you very much Laurel for this lovely encouraging and supportive comnent; it means a lot to me x