Musings: The Elusive Red Bird
December 9, 2015
Musings from my nature writing journal…
A cardinal flew across the road today as I was walking. It darted out from the trees and made a quick trajectory to the other side of the road, flashing its brilliant scarlet-feathered figure in a swift streak before my eyes. I became transfixed upon the stand of trees and brush that the cardinal had descended into, managing somehow despite its brilliant color to blend in to the colorful fall foliage. There it sat hidden in nature’s camouflage. And, I waited, patiently and quietly for him to emerge, ever peering deeper into the wood to catch a glimpse of him fluttering from limb to limb.
I have always loved the elusive red birds with their flame red feathers. “Sing a song for me pretty crimson bird,” I said to the obscure visitor shrouded within the trees. “Sing to me oh ‘pretty-pretty-pretty,’ as you do for your mate, for surely you court me in your fleeting dance afore my eyes.”
I am reminded yet again, what gift the sighting of a mere bird brings, when my heart is heavy with grief and sadness. I am reminded yet again, that the transcendent offerings of nature are capable of taking away, if only for the briefest moment, the pain that weighs so heavy on my heart. This is why I walk along the forest, to be reminded that nature in her many forms is key to my existence. I wait; I wait in vain for yet another sighting of the elusive red bird. I wait to hear his song, “pretty-pretty-pretty,” but I wait in vain. Yet, I am richer for the fleeting visage of his scarlet feathers that brings a sigh of wonder to my wearied mind. I walk on. With Gratitude.
