The Message

Photo: (c) The Wildlife Center of Virginia

‘Buddy’s Poem’

Can we be here without a purpose?

I don’t think we can. Earth is too

wise to waste herself on us.

A wound can come and set us

upon a path; the big ones do.

Stepping stone: Learn humility from scars.

Stepping stone: Apprentice to imperfection.

Stepping stone: Claim the beauty of your soul.

Yes, I do believe in traveling this way.

Once I met a high-spirited eagle with

a crooked yellow beak who had been

grounded for life

by the infectious bite of a tiny mosquito.

You’d think that humiliating

for such a bird,

enraging.

But no,

this bird tossed a stone in front of me,

arched his head back

and screamed into the heavens,

“Compassion!”

And, I knew, absolutely knew,

in that moment

he meant

for everything.

© 2013-2015/Jamie K. Reaser

Published in "Wild Life: New and Selected Poems" (www.hiraethpress.com)

This poem is dedicated to "Buddy" the Bald Eagle in honor of his 5th Hatch-day. You can read Buddy's story here: http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/education-animals/all-about-buddy