Poetry

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© Bob Barra, 8-25-07

In a dreamy far-off land
Wept a lovely lad.
Crying with his head in hands,
Surely he was sad.
He failed to see above him
A bird o’ gold upon a branch;
It spoke to him, with words of whim,
Upon the air, they danced.

“My dear boy, why do you cry?
You’re such a lovely sight!
It’s on my heart to ask you why,
For it doesn’t seem right.”

The boy looked up, and saw the bird,
With tears of its own;
He spoke to him, with quavering word;
Thus his heart was shown.

“I chose to walk with my Lord,
To live the life of faith.
My life in Him, it’s own reward,
But I acted with disgrace.
He challenged me to trust in Him,
And walk a darker path.
Having no faith, I turned in sin.
I fear I’m under wrath!
So my prayers have turned to cries,
I’m so much in despair.
I know these woods hear my sighs,
But He’s silent to my prayers.

“I prayed for faith, to believe;
I wish to see His face.
Whatever He gives, I’ll receive,
As long as it’s His grace.”

“Where is He now?” the creature asked.
He shrugged he did not know.
The bird then gave himself a task:
“We’ll find this Lord o’ hosts.”

Down, he came, from the tree.
He was such a tiny thing.
His wings o’ gold, a sight to see,
As broad as eagle’s wings.

He made the boy an odd request:
“Climb upon my back!”
Yet, he agreed to his behest,
And acted with no slack.

He asked the boy, “What is your name?”
He answered, “My name’s Jack.”
“We’ll seek the Lord, as if a game.
I’m sure He’ll take you back.”

Then off they lit, to Jack’s surprise,
Becoming like the breeze.
They were one with the skies,
It seemed his heart felt ease.

Time flew by, the sun had waned,
Darkness brought the night.
Fears his mind entertained.
They seemed to mock his plight.

Seeming to sense Jack’s tortured heart,
He said, “Let’s find the Lord.
Do not fret what night imparts.
It’s Him that you fly toward!”

Joy returned to little Jack,
Like a breath of fresh air;
Glorious hope came right back,
He felt he had no care.

“My dear Jack, hug my neck,
I love you here with me;
I hated to see you such a wreck;
I want you to be free.”

So his rider embraced him so,
The act came with much ease.
This pair in flight had a glow,
That glorified great peace.

“Feel the wind carry us,
And smell the scent about.
It raised us both from the dust,
With my wings so stout!”

Jack did so from there hence,
And breathed in the air;
It smelled of fine incense,
Reminding him of prayer.
He smelled other lovely scents,
Not knowing what they were,
Asked the bird what they meant
Wafting in the air.

“It’s myrrh, aloes and cassia,
The lovely scents of God!
They are His ambrosia,
To encourage us to laud.

”Let the wind carry you,
Just hold on to my neck;
Be so carried on the blue,
You’re on a holy trek!”

So Jack made sure to hold on tight,
Felt the wind take him up;
Sailing above this bird in flight,
He hoped it would not stop.

A dawning sun arose before them.
Its light its own reward.
Then behold, there in a glen,
Stood Jack’s mighty Lord!
He then squealed with delight,
Almost leaping off the bird.
Returned to him, was his Might,
Returning to the Word.

They landed there, in the glen.
He then stood before the Lord.
Expecting rebuke for his sin,
Hesitated to move toward.

“My dear Jack, My heart is bright.
My joy’s returned to Me.
You came to Me, through the night.
My joy is what I see!

“Well done, My little faithful servant.
Your faithful prayer was heard.
In faith, you did as you were meant.
Your need was not ignored.”

“But, my Lord,” Jack said,
“I had no faith to go.
I feared the dark with so much dread.
‘tis this bird that led me so.”

Then he turned to the bird,
To make his sad good-byes.
But the Lord spoke a word,
He heard with great surprise.

“My dear son, don’t you see?
You faced the night’s dark wraith.
You did so, and came to Me,
By your gilded bird of faith.

“Yes, he is My gift to you,
And was from the beginning.
He’s been with you, so very true,
Even in your sinning.

“He stayed with you with many tears.
You saw them in his eyes.
He’s proof to you, I’m always near.
You know I never lie.”

So Jack was back with the Lord,
Though He had never left.
Jack believed he’s never ignored.
His hope was not bereft.

Jack still often felt great fear,
Yet braved the nightly wraith.
For like the Lord, always near,
He braved with golden faith.

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