NESTS

 Story from Life Is a Garden Party, Vol V.

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 with 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 so, they would provide me with days of enjoyment.

For in about two weeks

hairless babies will peek -

quite curious

yet serious.

I’m in the habit of welcoming them

conversing daily as they peek out to listen.

Making up their minds

if I’m foe or kind.

I can tell as “me, me, me” is heard

from these hairless baby birds

as parents take turns flying in

with a protein snack as they’re growing.

Busy parents find something for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and snack.

Soon feathers will grow in, then they grow too large for their nest.

Before I know it they will fly;

leaving me behind to cry.

My (adoptive) mother’s heart is forlorn

for each year I mourn

when babies fly their coop

leaving me behind to cope.

(Each species of bird builds a distinct nest. Robin’s nests are very structured, filled with mud [nature’s air conditioning?]; mourning dove’s nests are just a few haphazard twigs, not really a recognizable nest at all; some birds collect the thinnest dried grasses; I understand hummingbird’s nests are comprised of spider webs. I’ve even seen dog hair added to nests as I used to brush my dogs outside. A soft fur-lined bed. A study in various nests will help you identify which bird species. Avail yourself to use google to recognize bird sounds via videos.)

* * * * *

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 or sons.

Together they take turns nesting,

expecting, cooing, protecting.

Then when the babies are hatched

the real work begins in their thatch.

Every minute 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 then 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 for parents to remember:

offspring seem to know it all as teenagers.

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

Around 30 they begin to realize they had wise parents.

Around 40 they find out they didn't know it all after all.

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

that there's something new to learn everyday

if they have an open mind to learn each day.

They may even seek out the sage for advice

for their elders have wisdom to suffice.

These sage ones have learned to wait to be asked,

otherwise youth will become defensive and retract.

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

Give your child a chance to grow, then 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

Photo taken in January.

Life Is a Garden Party

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