Nests

NESTS

In the crab apple tree sits a nest

where last year blue jays built a twig nest

to raise their family

nestled quite cozily.

All through the winter the nest was seen

after the tree dropped its leaves of green.

Some days piled high when the snow flew.

Other days swayed when a wind blew through.

But the nest was built high in the crotch

where it remained secure in its notch

to withstand many of nature's storms -

rather snow, rain, or wind storms.

This spring morning a gray mourning dove and her husband

were seen taking up residence in the nest abandoned.

There they sat nestled side by side

though the nest isn't very wide.

Cuddled in their new home

in the treetop enthroned.

I wonder if their coo-coo was in agreement?

If they asked for my vote, it would be agreement.

For in a few weeks

babies might peek -

quite curious

and serious.

Making up their minds

if I'm a foe or kind.

Soon they will fly;

I'll want to cry.

Some day I will learn;

for each year I mourn

when babies fly the coop

leaving me behind to cope.

* * * * *

Have you ever watched a feathered family

raise their brood of fledglings up in the heavenlies?

They have a lesson to teach us.

These life lessons are a must.

You'll learn it takes a mother and a father

to raise a brood of fledglings together.

These parents work together to build a secure nest or home.

After the nest is prepared, they give birth to daughters and sons.

Together they take turns sitting,

talking, planning, dreaming, waiting.

Then when the babies are hatched

the real work begins in their thatch.

Every hour or so one flies in

with a yummy dinner or a drink brings.

The babies beaks open wide

while one parent is seen nigh.

That parent keeps a keen look out

for whatever danger is about.

They they change places, for taking care of their little ones

is too big of a responsibility for just one.

They have much to teach

in just two weeks

all their birdbrain knows

to their babies who grow.

Though human parents have many more years

to teach their children what's right or what to fear,

even though sometimes children seem outside their reach,

feathered parents have the same lessons to teach.

When human fledglings mature

after being nurtured

parents have a hard time adjusting

to the now empty-nest syndrome.

Feathered parents

learn to adjust,

just as human parents

must someday adjust.

* * * * *

How quickly the years went by.

Too soon it's time to say bye-bye.

Though children think they have learned,

they soon find out there's still much to learn.

Here's a lesson to remember:

kids know it all as a teenager.

At 20 or so they know they know more than their parents.

Around 30 or so they realize they had smart parents.

At 40 they find out they didn't know it all.

Around 50 they know they'll never know it all.

And that there's something new to learn everyday

if they have an eager mind to learn each day.

So if you think your situation is hopeless, it's not.

Give your child a chance to learn and one day what was taught

will come full circle.

A prayed-for miracle.

Train up a child in the way he should go

and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

These commandments that I give you today

are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Five sparrows are sold for two pennies.

Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Don't be afraid;

you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7

Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

Not the nest spoken about in the above story.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.