I first observed a Scarlet Tanager last week. It is a rare bird to see because it lives it’s life in the forest canopy. However it has a very distinctive song that is easily identified once known.
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A bird alighted in the treetops outside the Meeting House during Meeting for Worship. The gradual awareness of it’s song creeping into my consciousness during silent Worship. First the melody and then the recognition of it’s distinctive song. I know that call.
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This brought to mind how listening for the song of the Spirit during Worship can be a process of recognition and of discernment. An awakening to a voice that you have heard but not listened to closely. An awareness to the moment and that still small voice of the Spirit within.
Out of the Mouths of a Thousand Birds
Listen –
Listen more carefully to what is around you
Right now.
In my world
There are the bells from the clanks
Of the morning milk drums,
There are the bells from the clanks
Of the morning milk drums,
And a wagon wheel outside my window
Just hit a bump
Just hit a bump
Which turned into an ecstatic chorus
Of the Beloved’s Name.
Of the Beloved’s Name.
There is the Prayer Call
Rising up like the sun
Out of the mouths of a thousand birds.
Rising up like the sun
Out of the mouths of a thousand birds.
There is an astonishing vastness
Of movement and Life
Of movement and Life
Emanating sound and light
From my folded hands
From my folded hands
And my even quieter simple being and heart.
My dear,
Is it true that your mind
Is sometimes like a battering
Ram
Is it true that your mind
Is sometimes like a battering
Ram
Running all through the city,
Shouting so madly inside and out
Shouting so madly inside and out
About the ten thousand things
That do not matter?
That do not matter?
Hafiz, too,
For many years beat his head in youth
For many years beat his head in youth
And thought himself at a great distance,
Far from an armistice
With God.
Far from an armistice
With God.
But that is why this scarred old pilgrim
Has now become such a sweet rare vintage
Who weeps and sings for you.
Has now become such a sweet rare vintage
Who weeps and sings for you.
O listen –
Listen more carefully
To what is inside of you right now.
Listen more carefully
To what is inside of you right now.
In my world
All that remains is the wondrous call to
Dance and prayer
All that remains is the wondrous call to
Dance and prayer
Rising up like a thousand suns
Out of the mouth of a
Single bird.
Out of the mouth of a
Single bird.
~ Hafiz ~ 12th century Persian poet
Thanks to my Friend Eva for sharing this poem with me…and you.
Roger Vincent Jasaitis 