The Birds

As I go through my daily blog reads, I find that many of us are feeling the pressure that the holiday season brings as we try to Do It All (and Do It All right). It occurs to me that I, personally, need to focus on what Christmas is all about, and why we are doing all of the things we do to make it special, make it right.

Many years ago, my dear friend Frank shared this poem with me, a poem I love more than any of his other works. It has become an important part of Christmas for me. Last year I shared a link to it, but this year, I want to reprint (with Frank's generous permission) and share the entire poem with you. It helps me to focus on the mystery that is the Incarnation.






THE BIRDS


IT WASN'T THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE CHRISTMAS
HE ENJOYED THE HOLIDAY FUN
ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS AND SUDDEN GOOD WILL
AND THE CHILDREN'S HAPPY SUSPENSE


BUT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS
IN THE INCARNATION I MEAN
GOD LIVING A MAN-LIFE LIKE HIS? WHAT FOR?
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO HIM


HE SAT BY THE FIRE
WARM IN HIS HOME
ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALONE
THE FAMILY GONE OFF TO MIDNIGHT MASS


HE HEARD A THUMP AT THE WINDOW
AND THEN ANOTHER
SOME MISCHIEF BOY OUT FOR FUN HE THOUGHT
HE WENT TO THE WINDOW TO CHASE HIM WITH A GLANCE


BUT FOUND NO BOY
BUT A SPARROW FLOCK
LURED BY THE LIGHT AND SIGHT OF WARMTH
HAD TRIED TO COME THROUGH HIS WINDOW


THEY HUDDLED NOW IN THE SNOW
WITH NO PLACE TO GO
AND HE FELT COMPASSION FOR THEM
HE PUT ON HIS BOOTS AND JACKET AND SCARF
AND OUT HE WENT TO OPEN THE GARAGE
TO GIVE THEM SHELTER


BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
SO HE TURNED ON THE LIGHT
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE WENT AND GOT BREAD
AND THREW IT MANNA LIKE UPON THE SNOW
A PATH TO FOLLOW
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE TRIED TO HERD THEM IN
SHOUTING AND WAVING HIS ARMS
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME


I'M SCARING THEM HE THOUGHT
I'M SO BIG COMPARED TO THEM
AND DIFFERENT


IF BUT FOR A MOMENT I COULD BE A SPARROW
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH THE DOOR
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH.....THE DOOR


(a twice told tale)


FRANK A. VOLLMER

Comments

LoieJ said…
Wow, that is great. Explains everything!
Susan said…
I can easily see why this is your favorite of his poems. It's wonderful, but one forgets from one year to the next. Thanks, Nancy.
Carole said…
Thank you for sharing! Beautiful!
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
Wow! It's beautiful. You know, this is truly scary-- last night, in his sleep, my husband screamed out. I touched his shoulder to bring him out of whatever nightmare he was having. He replied: "oh, good. It was a dream. I thought the garage was full of birds..."! How weird is this, I ask you?
Lindah said…
Oh, a wonderful poem! Thank you for sharing. Would it be ok to read it at table after Christmas dinner, do you think?

Merry Christmas
Linda H
Tanya said…
A lovely poem. I have heard our pastor explain God's love for us in a similar way, but Frank's poem really paints a picture in the heart.