“Love Loves Difficult Things”

Reposted  11/30/16  For Creativity Challenge Day 10: Voice
http://1sojournal.wordpress.com

For We Write Poems poetry prompt #201: 1000 Birds
http://wewritepoems.wordpress.com/

Love Loves Difficult Things

I hear and I forget.
I see and understand.
I do and I become.
__Found in a fortune cookie

God gathered all of the hawks,
from kestrels to harriers and falcons,
on a tree covered hillside
where they might perch in limbs
high and low to listen.

God spoke: I have chosen you
to be my messengers because
my human creations find it hard
to sit still and listen for that quiet
voice that calls from within their souls.

Yet, they continue to seek wholeness
outside themselves in things, causes,
issues, and others whose  faces
are similar to their own.

You, with your keen eyes, swift
wings, sharp talons and beaks,
and fierce spirits, might catch
their attention with your piercing
calls and undivided focus.

No wings moved through the trees
as the hawks, large and small,
fierce with focus, leaned in to listen.

From a barren branch high on the hill
gnarled voice of an old gray gyrfalcon called,
“But we can not speak to these creatures.
We do not share the same language.”

And God replied, Yes, I know that.
You will share your message through
example. Simply by being who you
truly are.

The old falcon asked, “But what of all
your other creatures? The furred and four
legged, butterflies, insects?  All the other
birds that fly, swoop, and sing in celebration
of their existence? Should they not be your
messengers as well?”

As they are and will always be. Each day
I meet with different ones, explaining
their purpose and message:

The cardinal with its blood color
is a reminder that sacred creative
fire burns no matter the season.

The deer with its tender spirit
speaks of being gentle, especially
toward oneself.

Friend of the night, the owl helps
one see that there will always be
light somewhere in the darkness.

The four wings of a butterfly
carry a message of four steps
in growth toward transformation.

Loyalty is the dog’s missive, just
as building is the beaver’s, and transmutation
belongs to the snake that sheds its skin,
renewing itself periodically.

“And will they hear your message?”

God smiled and said, Some always have:
the poets, painters, musicians, sculptors,
and the like. They, in turn, express it in
their art, becoming yet another message.

The hawks nodded in understanding.
Small blue and brown kestrel leaned forward
with a frown, “Sounds like a lot of trouble
to send a message to creatures slow to hear it,
let alone, to understand.”

Yes, it (they) can be difficult at times. But,
I created them that way. I am God.
Which means I am love, and love
especially loves difficult things.

Elizabeth Crawford 2/20/14

Process Notes: The title comes from Neil’s prompt and is a quote from Peter Sis in his book A Conference of The Birds (a translation of an ancient Persian poem) which was the basis for Neil’s prompt. The fortune cookie came two days ago and I knew while reading it, that I’d need it soon, so wrote it down. My only thought when I began to read Neil’s prompt was “Oh no, here we go again. Neil wants us out on that limb, again.” But, as I continued to read, the above scenario began to form in my mind…God explaining His message to be found in all of Creation. Finished reading, I pulled up Word and began typing, thinking I was just making some notes. Didn’t stop until the whole of it was completed. Thinking this one has been in the back forty for a while just waiting for the right nudge. Thank you Neil and that limb you seem to live on.
I love making myth and this is definitely a mythos piece. I don’t do this near enough. The image is another of my digital paintings done several years ago.

There is a song that goes with it. Hope you enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC9FWwQ2ZrM