Songbird

I awoke one morning To the sounds of a songbird singing Just outside of my window. So beautiful was its song That my spirits were sent souring within me Raising me up out of the dark place that encaged me. Each new morning that followed began with this messenger’s song And the peace that it brought me was a  light for that day. Yet a hidden fear lay buried deep with me Which would whisper to me in the night - what if . . . . Then one morning I was awakened by silence Loud and painful as only aloneness can hear; And so it was, the next day and the next, and more. Resigned to the sound of darkness I expected nothing more When suddenly I awoke to that beautiful voice calling again. My Songbird had returned. Quickly joy and fear conspired, and a plan was plotted. I captured my messenger of joy with gentle hands A place within my walls I had crafted to encage it With every comfort a songbird could ever want. And I retired that night in confidence of my own making. The next morning, I awoke – not to songs but silence My captive messenger but fluttering its wings as if to fly While I pleaded for its song again and again. It did not take many days of silence for me to accept I must free my silent captive and give it flight. That night I retired once again into my darkness The songs with their messages of joy and peace now gone My days would begin with only myself alone as guide. During the night an angel visited my dreams To retell in plain words the lesson I seemed unable to grasp. “God’s messenger is a gift freely given to those who seek true freedom Encaged you will remain as long as you believe in cages. You fail to understand the songbird I sent you Is My Song of Truth to free you Free you from the cages your self-will  wantonly constructs Wherein you try to capture the peace your heart so desires.” Startled, I awoke to the Songbird singing yet again And its message which now I can hear with the ears  of an understanding heart. Now I pray not with words, rather with wings. “Come fly with me now and I will take you there To where your true heart will be found And to where He is waiting.”