The Songbird

Once there was a songbird
With a sweet, melodic voice
He sang each place he went
It seemed he had no choice
He sang of joy and promise
Through winter, fall and spring
Each note, a prayer in song
His purpose was to sing
He sang through summer's storm
He sang in winter's freeze
He sang through autumn's changing
He sang in springtime breeze
It seemed there was no stopping
This zealous, free songbird
His voice professed a hope
That needed to be heard
One day while singing sweetly
He was flying tree to tree
Caught up in the music
A branch, he failed to see
For as he sang his song
Bird and branch collided
He tumbled to the ground
His melody subsided
His wing, once right, hung broken
Limp and now askew
No matter how he moved it
The bird no longer flew
Discouraged, down, and beaten
Still he thought to sing
But when his mouth was opened
No one heard a thing
How can this be? He thought
His wing and now his voice
He could not fly, nor sing
Silent, not by choice
Lost without his music
Disheartened with no song
He sunk into his sorrows
For everything was wrong
No matter how he tried
He could not seem to sing
His life, once full, felt empty
As he cursed his broken wing
Frustration, hurt, and loneliness
Pervaded every feather
His life was marked by coldness
No matter what the weather
Then, as he surrendered
He heard a distant song
It sounded pure and sweet
Melodious and strong
He realized in that moment
That the songbird sang for him
Proclaiming hope and promise
In a time that seemed so grim
The song was for the birds
Who could not seem to sing
Reminding them of joy
And what new life would bring
For when we cannot sing
Others tell our song
Notes of faith and trust
To help us move along
And when we feel like singing
We sing for spirits broken
We sing for those in pain
Both uttered and unspoken
So if you hear a songbird
In moments of despair
Know it sings for hearts
Who are caught in sorrow's snare
-C. O'Connell-