Night Bird

A calmness falls as shades are pulled and nature seeks to bid

farewell to the sparrow’s song and call the katydid.

The shadowed void becomes a lair for those who toil by day,

but for a few, a very few, the rest seems far away.

The night bird lights on a darkened branch and screams a piercing cry.

Echoes on a moonless marsh rarely bring reply.

But on occasions when circles cross and orbits chance to meet,

a second cry joins the first and forms a song complete.

This union brings a fullness to both who dare to gaze

beyond the present and the past into the future’s haze.

Knowing time is close at hand when flights must be resumed,

they somehow sense the urgency of things to be assumed.

While others flock together and tuck their heads in sleep,

the night birds, filled with spirit, search the forests deep.

In each there is a loneliness to keep the vision pure

And each one flies in solitude, lest they lose the lure.

These midnight minstrels sing their songs never heard before,

but to another of their kind these notes give cause to soar.

For in the sojourns of their lives permanence is found

in pulling flowers toward the sky and clouds beneath the ground.

Rarely do these creatures live to hear their song complete.

It is the nature of the bird to change and not repeat.

The secret is the sacrifice endured to be endowed

to others with a sweeter song who choose to leave the crowd.

Kindred spirits forged with gifts as pearls beneath the sea

gifted by the Holy One for all eternity.

Given to be shared with all who seek a higher plane.

These night birds fly with focused eyes that see beyond the rain.

Greens and blues and violets are the plumage that they bear

and veils of white and heavenly light are built into their stare

Their courage is undaunted and their stealth beyond reproach.

These Travelers who guard the realm and rarely do they broach.  

On evenings when the frost is felt and birds are taught to sing

songs that for a thousand years have graced their gathering.

One begins to hum a tune that causes it to bear

the pain of calloused ridicule while swinging on the snare.

Copyright 1978 – Rik Lazenby