Ron’s Time Tunnel: The Birds

On By ronbrownxIn Ron's Time Tunnel

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A myriad of birds flew through my childhood. Everywhere, there were birds of both the literal and figurative ilk. Some came by way of stories told by the “old folks”, others flew in from childhood adventures. TAKE HEED.

THE BIRDS

High above the Eagle flies,

Lord and master of the skies;

Wings outstretched to catch the breeze.

Dad said, “Time flies on wings like these”.

He once spoke of an outlandishly odd bird,

Who only flew backwards, or so he’d heard.

The bird cared not about where it was going.

It only cared where it had been.

One bird gave a monkey a terrible ride.

He dove, dipped, flipped and turned on his side.

He rocketed straight up like a jet plane in flight,

but the monkey held the birds neck with all of his might.

The bird squealed, “Please loosen your hold, I can’t breathe!”

But the monkey tightened his grip and dug in with his knees.

He said, “Mr. Bird, Mr. Bird if you don’t want to die tonight,

Stop this hellish flying; straighten up and fly right!”

On Sundays or when ironing, my Grandma would sing;

“Oh Glory, I’ll fly away on some glad morning!

Some glad day when this life is over, I’ll fly away.

Just like a Mourning Dove on that Great Getting Up Day”.

And how about the parrot that just sits in his cage,

talking and talking as if he were a sage,

but fly he does not nor does he sing.

Didn’t he hear Maya explain “Why the caged bird sings”?

You see he couldn’t fly even if he was free

Because his wings have been clipped for a paltry fee.

Talking and talking like some kind of big shot.

But fly like the other birds, that he does not.

In our youth, we shot robins with BB guns.

That’s how we started our springtime fun.

Some may frown at Robin Redbreast’s death,

But it thrilled us to death, to put a bullet in his chest.

A bird is the reason my ear constantly rings.

Once Block, Dad and I were small game hunting.

“White Cloud” was with us too, but walking behind.

I believe the year was nineteen seventy-nine.

We were hunting rabbit but jumped some quail.

One flew so close, I could touch his tail.

White Cloud raised his gun and picked him off in mid-air

I’m sure to this day, that I felt buckshot part my hair

Dazed I stood as bells rang in my head.

It was then that I remembered what father had said.

I could hear his voice rising above the constant ring

And these are the words that he was saying;

“High above the Eagle flies

Lord and master of the skies

Wings outstretched to catch the breeze

Time flies on wings like these”.

By Ron Brown

21 thoughts on “Ron’s Time Tunnel: The Birds”

  1. This is beautiful Ron. I’m sorry – I feel like a stranger. Sorrier still that I’m coming to say goodbye. I remember your thoughtful comments very fondly. Your blog is looking great. May you go from strength to strength in your writing and I’m really glad to have met you, Best wishes. Chevvy.

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      1. Ron, I’m really glad to have this chance to say goodbye. I think you understand what a vocation is. I see it in the work you’ve done and do and your writings. So I’m following a calling too. Something I’ve always done and I believe my way is becoming clear for the next calling which I start next week. The next three months will need my complete focus. Having said that,the blog and engaging with all of you has been an important part of helping me define my journey. At the same time, it has been so much fun! I have loved this so much and I too am sad that I have to go. I hope I can return at some point but I’ll remember your quiet encouragement and wisdom. Thank you so much for your friendship and do take care.
        Warmest wishes!
        Chevvy

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  6. Woebegone but Hopeful

    Hi Ron.
    This is a great collection of very short stories under one theme.
    I did enjoy the way the poem read; as I moved from one episode to another I had the feeling of the soaring and diving of birds.
    Thanks for the poem and another journey through your time tunnel

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