Bye Bye Birdie

Last week I was getting ready for bed. Actually, I was lying on the ground. I felt this sudden burst of energy fly through the small crack in my window and then pass hurriedly over my body. My first thought was that a ghost entered the room. My eyes darted to the string of lights above my bed because I felt something breathing there.

A small sparrow had come for a late night visit.

I became very excited. A messenger!

"hiiiiii!" I greeted him.

He was scared. His small body inhaled and exhaled quickly. He didn't know where he was. I tried to shoo him out of the room but he kept running into the walls, flying into the glass window, and falling to the ground. At one point he was under my bed. At another he was in my closet burrowed somewhere in my clothes.

If someone were to fast-forward the chase scene, it might be hard to tell who was the flustered animal. I'd say it was about equal.

I couldn't stand the fact that this little creature thought I was trying to kill him. I was stressing him out. Telling him I was trying to help him be free didn't work. He would not listen to me. I decided I needed to improve my ability to speak to animals.

Three hours later, a blanket was successfully thrown on top of the little fellow and I flung him out into the open world beyond my porch.

I have this feeling the bird would have found his way out if I had just waited a little bit. I was impatient. I am impatient. When I'm uncomfortable, when someone's uncomfortable, I want it gone. Free. I can't stand to watch a heart beat faster than it should and I forget that

this.

too.

shall.

pass.

it always does.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~