A Bird that Learns to Fly

There is a subtle wisdom that birds teach us about our spiritual nature

A Bird that Learns to Fly

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

(The Wisdom of Wings)

"The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." - Abraham Lincoln 

A stagnant mind

Is pliable to manipulation 

Instead be...

a bird that learns to fly

A hateful heart

Is devoid of its humanity 

Instead be...

a bird that learns to sing

An unloved soul 

Is rife with pessimistic cynicism 

Instead be...

a bird that flocks with many

For to be our greater selves

the wings we gain...

must be earned.

Author's Note

Thanks for taking the time to read this uplifting piece of poetry. I want to also point to a poem with a similar enlightened theme called Birdcage by Troy Dean.

Reviews

[duff]

This is uplifting. So many are still trying to spread their wings but once you break out of the mold and comfort zone its a sigh of relief. Fresh air and a chance to be our true selves again. Nice work Carlos.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Duff and I agree with you in your statement. I feel we try to hard to conform to the ways of society that we stifle our evolution spiritually. Somethings can hamper our growth as this poem illustrates. Once in a while we need affirmations that give us direction in the hopes we yearn to achieve. Thank you so much again Duff for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Brianna Brie]

"Instead be a bird that flocks with many," clever line! It caught me by surprise. I love birds and hey, well a life message is even better. Kudos!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for your kind words Brianna. I appreciate it. I felt the past few years during the covid crisis many of us suffered through profound isolation. It has taken time for quite a few to become social again especially during these divisive times. What we have lost is civility which is essential to every diverse democracy. It has taken us some time since until now to rectify and start believing again in these higher ideals. Poetry helps ease and repair those wounds. And every voice is important in this endeavor. Thank you so much again.

[Betty Hermelee]

Sometimes it's difficult to have self love.... which can then translate into many kinds of difficulties in one's life....and has negative effects upon others as well. Your poem depicts humankind as detrimental, perhaps in denial; instead why can't these kind of people be more uplifting to themselves and others?.... as you suggest... "be a bird that learns to fly, a bird that learns to sing..." the pessimism spreads like a fire out of control to humanity, and we are a collective society....and must have respect for each other... we must earn other's as well.... we must learn to "fly like a bird"... there is so much hope and encouragement in this poem.... so perfect!!! and well designed!!!
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much B for your thoughts. The world is filled with doom and gloom that we often forget that to change things one must first be willing to change themselves. It starts one heart at a time. And can inspire us to learn to flock together in unity. Instead of being divided by our anger and petty disagreements. Because in the end we have more in common than we do in division. Especially when it comes to love. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome dear Carlos
Best, B.

[Soren]

Wonderful thoughts succinctly stated and well-ordered I loved the progression.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Soren. We can use a little hopeful encouragement in these difficult times. The world is filled with so much doom and gloom at the moment. We sometimes lose sight that to change everything one must first change themselves. CLE

[Troy Dean]

Lovely Carlos! big truth in this great ending, wings are certainly earned, can be painful although the higher their cost the greater their span (good to keep in mind when times are tough)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Troy for your kind words. I am in agreement with you. Your piece "Birdcage" also speaks of these higher aspirations of humanity. It is poetry like that which is needed more than ever during these difficult of time we find ourselves in as a society. We must constantly remind one another that the search for the better angels of our nature is not simply a mantra but a choice to live one's life. We as poets have not just an opportunity but an obligation to inspire and aspire our audience towards these higher virtues. Thank you so much again my friend for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem.

[Weeping willow]

Wonderful write filled with positive thoughts ;-}

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you WW I appreciate the comment. I really needed to balance myself after writing a dark poem like "Pagan". Though this was written a few months back I tend to hold things for a while in editing before submitting. I liked the positive message and hopefulness this piece exudes. Things are just so dire now a days that I feel a reminder that we can individually be a positive influence in the world is needed more than ever. It's all about choice and whether one wants to be negative or seek human goodness that inspires others to do the same. As poets we have that opportunity through art to gift others in positive light. The better angels of our nature is not just a mantra we should aspire towards but live everyday so that others may see the possibilities of goodness in their own hearts. CLE

[JD Major]

Love this one, Carlos! Especially the poetic "instead be..." and the Contrasting.
I think Abe & his better Agels inpired you :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you JD for your comment on this poem. As I was telling Jacob in the comment below I feel these past few years have been very challenging for us all. We have had to learn the etiquette of civility all over again as a society. Recently I was at a gas station filling up my car when a stranger about my age struck up a conversation with me. It shocked me quite honestly. His courtesy and simple kind hello. It was as if I had forgotten how to "flock with others". I wished him well after our friendly banter and when I got into my car to leave I felt emotional over what happened. The relevance of this poem speaks to the lost civility we as a society have experienced. Our better angels and simple kindness. Even I find myself in struggle to remember these things that were lost by these past few harrowing years. I think my heart was sending me this direct message. CLE

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, we could learn a lot from the birds...and we must learn to fly on our own...to dispel loneliness and pessimism and give ourselves a chance to be happy.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I agree J. The simple joys aren't so simple anymore. It take effort to accomplish them. Even a simple kindness has become foreign to us. Recently I was at a gas station filling up my car when an elderly gentleman about my age said a kind hello and asked how my day was going. I was in shock. It's been years any stranger asked anything of me out of just pure kindness and friendship. I almost fumbled in my reply and when our banter ended I wished him a great day. When I got back into my car I felt a bit emotional. It was as if I had forgot what civility and kindness was as a human being. To flock with others. These past few years have really changed our society in many ways. We are re learning civility, manners, and simple kindness all over again. CLE

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carlos! :)
This was an interesting read. Birds can do cool stuff. We should too. Thanks for sharing.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I agree with you, Matt. Your words strike a chord because they come from a gifted poet such as yourself. May your words continue to sing like the birds we hear, my friend. CLE

[Ken e Bujold]

the wings of our better angels need to be earned indeed. Thanks for the lovely reminder of this Carlos

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Ken for reading and sharing your thoughts with me. I truly appreciate it. I feel this piece came out of a necessity to remind myself to be more hopeful. It is my hope that if it can do the same for even just one person then I would consider it a success in its message. A reminder that the possibility of hope and our better angels are not often far from our grasp. It takes very little to just be a decent human being. Thank you again my friend. CLE