Birds of Comfort

Grief Poem

All is well with the sparrows and finches

Landing on my shepherd’s hook

To partake of hanging feasts

Of thistle seeds, safflower, and sunflower

All is well with the sparrows and finches

 

All is not well with me

Waves of grief crash over me

With each new presentation of

Loss and sickness and sorrow severe

All is not well with me

 

But the sparrows and finches flit,

Unaware of my dark dejection,

From fence to feeder and back to fence

Unaware that I’m their benefactor

And unaware that they comfort me.

Author's Note

This is for any of you experiencing grief. I wrote this during a time of loss six years ago. I had lost one brother to diabetes. Then another brother was diagnosed with lung cancer and while he was dealing with that, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I've come through all of that and I'm OK now.

Reviews

[Vertigo Cat1111]

Not only are you an excellent writer, but you're so, so strong. I am so sorry for your losses, but their spirits are evermore when you write about them like this and you're strength and willingness are so beautiful and inspiring. I find nature extremely comforting when grieving. It reminds us life goes on and there's so much more out there to see. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you Colacat for your kind review. I love being a part of this community.

[Dave Brown]

That is a terrible lot to deal with
it seems we all eventually have some misery to overcome and what better aspect of nature to help us along than the wonderful birds
I even enjoy the belligerent Bluejays

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you for reading and commenting Dave. Yes, I'm glad to have come through that time. And I agree, Bluejays are pretty cool. I have a little poem about them that I might post sometime.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh how I relate to this. Lost parents in the past few years, a the person who started me writing poetry, lost her to ALS...before I could reconnect with her, and have 3 friends right now dealing with cancer.
I am glad you are okay now...the birds on my block sing tunes, but to me off key.
Perhaps like with you, the weight will eventually lift, hopefully my friends will survive, and can be left with just the happy thoughts of my parents rather than the sting of loss.
This poem is quite helpful in that, thank you for your words.
j.

[Shelley Warner]

I'm glad it's helpful Jacob. I'm sorry for your loss and I do hope your friends overcome cancer. I like your phrase "the birds on my block sing tunes, but to me off key". May you be comforted.

[John the Baptist]

Odd how we can sometimes become aware of natural things while caught in the throes of grief. The speaker might not have noticed the birds ordinarily, but now finds comfort in them during a moment of pain. Perhaps it is life's way of telling us it goes on.

[Shelley Warner]

Yes, I've always enjoyed birds. Thank you for reading my poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Nature can be a great comforter when dealing with grief. The simplicity of feeding the birds a reminder that life goes on regardless. The birds may not have known what a comfort they were to you, but they knew there was a plentiful supply of food available in the feeder for them. Their routine visits a part of many difficult days for you. Such a contrast here, your dark dejection and their flitting back and forth in anticipation. The repetition works well. An accomplished write. I am sorry for your loss Shelley.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

Beautifully said Chris. Thank you.