Grandmother Songbird

The songbirds woke me this morning

at dawn, they had something to say 

I was drifting back down into dreamland

but on they went, tapping away. 

They told me their daughter was missing, 

hadn't seen her for 2 whole days, 

I said that I'd help them to find her 

so could they please tell me her name?

Grandmother songbird flapped her wings,

shook her head

"our kind don't need names and labels"

she said.

"So how will I find your granddaughter?"

I asked.

"you are many, 

- I don't have a looking glass!"

"Your human concerns are endearing, 

my dear. 

go and search for her, 

it will all become clear".

____

Warm breath lit up my path with mist,

5am dew woke my heels with a kiss. 

Amongst all the chirping a silence commenced,

and I spotted a patch in the grass, by the fence.

In the paddock the horse bowed his head and sighed,

it was already far too late when I arrived.

I scooped daughter-blackbird in my palms and cried

'I am so sorry, grandmother songbird, I tried!"

She fluttered around my shoulder, by my ears, 

and smiled as the soil beneath claimed my tears.

"Such tremendous sadness we'll feel, my child,

but death is just another day, in the wild".

"You already knew she was gone?" I exclaimed.

Then what was the point in this mean, wicked game?"

"Your grandmother passed on a message for you,

to surrender and love in all that you do.

Travel far and wide, but as you roam

remember that love is where you call home".

"Grandmother songbird, what did I miss?

I'm confused... why do you tell me this?"

"Your grandmother's sorry she couldn't say goodbye,

your father's heart will break my dear - hold him when he cries".

____

We found daughter songbird a quiet place to rest, 

I asked of her grandmother to grant one request.

"Tell my Grandmother we love her, would you please?"

but she shook her head and made flight towards the trees.

"See, love is nameless, needs no labels - not a word!

Your Grandmother knows your love, even if unheard".

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

what a deep and introspective theme ... to think of such a universal love that contains no names .. no identities is not the way we normally think says i! .. your form is a mixed bag .. the quatrains for me have stronger rhythm .. and the freedom you take with rhyme works for me .. these lines stand out to me:
"Warm breath lit up my path with mist,
5am dew woke my heels with a kiss."
life and death .. can seem very impersonal ... but a deeper understanding of love ..covers a lot of ground ... thanks for sharing LouBelle
E.

[Laura Kate]

Thank you for your lovely review, E :) I do appreciate it. Death is such a challenging theme, as is love. I haven't studied poetry and really know nothing about form - so I do appreciate your comments on structure and form. Thanks and best wishes :)

[Einstein Noodle]

this is a great place to learn ... there are professors of English and Writing as well as many published writers ... so many styles, forms and voices to read .. all have helped me ... peace and joy!

[barleygirl]

This is a brilliant yet simply-written fable to illustrate the many possibilities for lessons in every little thing that happens in life, especially those things that seem confounding. I love that your story serves to open our eyes to possible lessons to be found, rather than trying to preach specific lessons. Everyone finds their own ways to interpret things that happen in life & this is why I love that your lessons are stated in more of an "open-ended" way. Love the bird personification (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laura Kate]

Thank you so much, Margie. I do appreciate your feedback and I'm glad that you find my poems open ended, it's definitely not my intention to preach in any way. More-so I like to share my experience in the hope that it might help readers who might relate. So, a million thanks for this review :) Laura,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

real love flies with no bounds, no regrets and no labels...it just is.

j.

[Laura Kate]

A lovely concept which I know to be true yet still struggle to get my head around.
Thank you, Jacob.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

An awesome poem with birds and grannies, both which I admire , great unique message on love having no names and labels, so universal. Sad when the bird found yet dying but death is just another day true. Kudos for this beautiful poem!!

Plz Pleez do read and comment my newest poem too, right on top.

[Laura Kate]

Hi Zaynab, it's lovely to see you here! Thank you for your kind review, I am glad that you liked it. Heading over to your page now.
Laura.

[Kent Rawski]

What we try to hold on dear, what we try to control, love will never be one of those. You took me down a rabbit hole. You so like to wander in wonder thank you lou. Gets better with each passing read

[Laura Kate]

Hi Kent. I appreciate this review so much, thank you. I do often find myself wandering in wonder, or wondering about wandering... :)

[Coyote Poetry]

So wonderful, so beautiful dear poet. The song of the songbirds. My morning pleasure. I liked the journey in your poetry. Thank you LouBelle for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Laura Kate]

Thank you Coyote, your reviews are always so appreciated.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear LouBelle.