Birdsong
May 10, 2010 by Janice Hunter
Filed under Kitchen Table Space
Prologue:
I haven’t been able to write much recently, but this month’s theme of ‘purpose’ has given me the chance to share this piece with you. It’s one of my favourite pieces ever, and marked the beginning of my friendship with Káren.
Big Bee by Aussiegall on Flickr
Birdsong
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.
~ Kahlil Gibran
I woke very early today, too early to start clattering and clanging in the kitchen so I grabbed a book, a pen and spiral bound notebook and wandered out into the garden, heading for the table, sipping the glass of blueberry juice I’d poured for myself.
I laid my books on the table, the blue and white tablecloth dew-damp under my sleepy arms, and I sat there thinking ‘These birds are really loud!’ Cheeping, cooing, chirruping, whistling, trilling, tweeting, chattering…I slowly started to single out each songbird’s soaring celebration of a new morning.
The sun, burning off the last few patches of mist, cast shafts of light through the laurels, turning web-hung droplets to twinkling crystals whenever the fresh morning breeze rustled the branches, dark green against a clear blue sky.
I breathed in the fragrance of moist earth and caught the scent of the mock orange blossom by our back door. Feeling more alive than I had for months, I thought about writing some morning pages, hoping to explore and dispel the shadows that have been settling round me.
I opened the notebook, half heartedly fiddling with my pen as I sat listening to the birds, Soon I would hear the sound of distant traffic; the humming of an aeroplane across the sky; the faint clattering of cereal bowls and spoons; the sound of kettles and radio alarms carried on the breeze. I put down the pen and leaned back in my seat, unwilling to leave the moment even to capture it.
A big fat bee came buzzing around the bushes by my feet and made me smile! I hadn’t seen one for months. So many tales of the bees disappearing; with them would go the soundtrack to my childhood garden memories of damp grass and daisy chains, dandelions and buttercups.
Suddenly, a flash of red and a choot choot choot – a robin, on the fence behind the berberis bush. He stopped, looked at me, bobbed his head three times and flew off.
And I knew, knew then as I know now, with a certainty that leaves no room for fear or doubt: I was meant to write this piece. I was meant to write. I was meant to wake up early, to love that bee, to be that robin, to share with you the beating of my “winged heart” on a grateful spring morning.
And you were meant to read this. For without the life and the breath and the experience you bring to these words, they would only be pixels on a screen. Like the bee, you touch the lives of strangers, you’re woven through the fabric of a million memories, you create moments that leave the world a better place. You and I – like the robin – have a message to bring, a song to sing in the eternal dawn chorus.
Today, as you choose to wrap your heart around the moments that make up a life, how will you share your precious gift with the world? You were born with talents, you’ve worked hard to build skills, to create connections – but they’re just the channel. You are the gift.
Hi Janice .. I loved that .. the true connectedness when we are still and peaceful, the morning air surrounds us but is not abuzzing yet, is not tearing life apart as it darts hither and thither as the sun awakens us .. the quietness of being early: a lesson we could learn for life itself .. being prepared will bring calm to our life, reduce the stress.
Your descriptive words are glorious .. and I can simply imagine you sitting there with the early sun shafts drifting down, providing a light warmness, the dew transpiring away, the mist slowly evaporating .. the dawn chorus, so loud in the silence of the morn … the marvellous choir from voices so tiny … the chitter chat of feathered morns ..
Enjoy the happy days .. if there wasn’t frost underneath – we’d be slightly warmer now! Loved it – have a great week .. Hilary
I’ve missed you, lately, and wondered where you are. It was good to “see” you here today.
I too have missed your articles Janice. I thoroughly enjoy the beautiful simplicity you bring to each of your articles and your ability to draw me into a world that at times seems to foreign, but reawell within my reach – Bless you.
I loved your words…”You touch the lives of strangers”, when you write. Isn’t that what it’s all about, Janice?
That is what I love so much about the Calm Space. I can’t begin to imagine the number of lives that have been touched by the words written here!
After my article on “purpose” was published here this month, I had the most wonderful comment left on my website, by a stranger. Something I had said had struck a chord with her. And I felt so happy for her.
Keep sharing the precious gift of your words to the world, Janice, because people really are listening. :)
To Hilary, CG, Dee and Joanne,
Thank you for the lovely, beautifully expressed comments. They always touch me, and the pleasure of receiving responses never dims.
Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply. I’ve been offline for a while, not doing my usual deciduous blogging/have a break-come & come back blossoming thing, but resting after a confluence of losses, bad news, family health problems, teenage exam madness, financial blows and a minor but confidence wrecking car crash. Even when I wanted to log on to explain, I spent a part of my time away virtually immobilised with back pain and sitting at a computer was impossible.
Even though I’m a very honest writer and believe in looking for the learning in challenging situations, every bird, bee, cloud and sign from the universe this past six months has told me to lay low, rest, fill up the jug and focus on my own health and that of my family. That’s the only way I can replenish my soul and my writing so that some day, I can turn it all into something that might touch, help or resonate with others. So often we advise extreme self care but are the last to practise it. I love my family, my friends and every soul I connect with online, but if I don’t take care of myself, I have nothing of quality to give – and you deserve better.
I hope to be writing at the kitchen table again soon, and that you’ll pop in when I’m back.
Hi Janice .. good to hear from you .. and it’s now warmer – bliss. Do hope you’ll be feeling more able to cope soon .. and feel better generally – and absolutely if you don’t stop and recuperate your energies .. life isn’t worth living – I know too well.
Enjoy the warmer weather and the walk to wellness along our summer paths with the light and sun shining down ..
Thinking of you .. Hilary
Lovely to hear from you Janice!
The tough times come along every so often, just to “try” us, and you already realise that we learn so much from the hard times. Keep focusing on improved health for yourself and family, a freshly repaired, shining car and plentiful finances, the joy you wish for yourself and all of those around you…they will all return to you.
You have a wonderful soul and this shines through in your writing. And you know all of your online friends are here, cheering you on. :)
Sending positive thoughts and love your way. Joanne.
Perhaps writing early is the key, though my early morning lucidity is typically questionable.