Is Worth Two
In The Bush.
Unless You
Absolutely
Need ALL Three.
-Gray Squirrel
09-07-2025
delightful what a dazzlement brings …
what others deem prepost’rous things -
so burled and brown and bound with strings
hark - how sweet this waxwing sings …
oh hark - how sweet!
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden, February 8, 2024
( photograph taken by Gregory R Barden, February 6, 2024; filter by Prisma )
If I hold a little bird
in the palm of my hand,
it is as if
I am gently holding the heart of God,
even though the unnamable One
is that infinite Phoenix of Light.
For if I am gentle with this God
in my hand,
I shall be forever forgiven,
forever redeemed.
Let not your money just wither
Into the scheme of the scammer.
falling on deaf ears
can’t get a word in edgewise
~ now they see my point
Stood upon a shore of sand,
sparrow held within two hands.
If this tiny life should be,
no one knows but God and me.
Walked a lonely street at night,
underneath a lamp of light.
Wandered far away from home,
where the painted ladies roam.
Beheld an Angel fallen,
from Hell a voice was calling.
Placed a hand inside of mine,
led to place no one could find.
Around neck two hands were found,
from the mouth was heard no sound.
Life slipped into the deep abyss,
upon pale lips was left a kiss.
Into a dark damp alley,
inside of Death's cold valley.
Was set the soul of a sparrow free,
no one knows but God and me.
8/15/19
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 7
One cool spring morning my husband opened the front door,
And he saw a little bird shivering on the porch floor.
The poor thing was just a tiny little bird.
When he saw it, his compassion was stirred.
He scooped the young bird into his warm hand,
And hoped that the small bird would understand.
He sat on the porch with the bird for a long while,
Caressing it with his finger, and speaking softly to beguile.
The vulnerable bird had no fear as it was cradled in his hands.
It was fortuitous the bird had chosen our porch in which to land.
Finally the bird had recovered sufficiently, and it was time to say goodbye.
With his hand outstretched, and moist eyes, he watched his new friend fly.
6/1/17
Mid September Premiere Contest
Brian Strand Sponsor
A Bird in the hand
From my childhood
Sweet memories
I remember holding the sparrow so tight
It heart just beats so hard and so fast
I became more curious. As I look into
His small beady eyes;
I smile, he chirp and whines, begging for mercy
Against the odds, he bite deep into my thumb
It just wants to be free!
To navigate the world
I was startled by these words
Yay! Better let the bird in your hands go
Before he peck out your nose
“Said Nana
That was the day
I said up, up and way little birdie.
I am so sorry!center
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