THEN

The things she thought beautiful meant nothing to me then.

So why do I stand eyes glazed staring upward at this tree?

Waiting, listening for the wind

To gently rustle its branches and shake spent leaves to the ground?

How silly. I've more to do than stand idle when work can still be found.

But before I move I hear her say, "Sister, have you seen a Redbird today?

Where were you night before last when the moon

Was so lovely and deep shadows were cast?

Did you notice a huge star in the West

That was brighter by far then all the rest?

You don't have much time, Mama knows, but come soon I want to show you this rose

That is full yet firm and red as a heart

Its velvet-like petals are just slowly beginning to start

To unfold like angels' wings."

Mama, I have to go. I've no time for such things.

Looking at Flowers!

Maybe some day. When I'm like Mama old and so gray

I'll have time to 'smell the roses' as they say.

I hear something above in my tree. I loook upward and I see

Not a Redbird, but a blue bird that taunts me,

"You're idle, I'm not. I'm busy finding food for my brood.

Depart silly old bird with the worm on your beak.

I must be insane to think you could speak.

But then as I turned to go, the fallen leaves swished around me feet.

Saying, whispering, "Hush, Hush, Look, Look, Listen, Listen

See the beauty that surrounds you!

Life's not about tasks that must be done nor battles fought, nor victories won

It's about gifts of eyes blinded by dreams, gifts of ears muffled to tears

It's not about what you wear; it's not about where you've traveled or how far.

I don't need to fight with you. I have enough wars.

I shook my head and blinked my eyes. Go old bird! Join the compost pile old leaves!

And then her voice, louder then the rest, drowned out the noise of the passing cars,

"Take time to see God through his creatures and his stars."

As quickly as she spoke, as quickly did her voice fade away.

Leaving me wondering aloud "What did she say?"

NOW

The things she once thought so beautiful and tried in vain to share with me

I now see clearly and treasure since we are apart.

Trees with the breeze; sun with its warmth; birds with their song; Moon with its glow;

clouds with their rain; grass, leaves, even a lowly worm slithering across the walk

I now know somehow mutes the pain.

©2010 Rosalie M. Taylor