Wings For a Purpose
What the Birds Taught Me Today
I was watching the birds through the window this morning as I got ready for work.
I noticed that the mourning doves were pecking around on the ground beneath the feeder,
and the sparrows, finches and what we Pennsylvanians called "sputzies"
were flying in and out of the feeders, scattering seed all over the place.
As I watched the doves moving slowly
through the light dusting of snow
eating the teeny bits falling down from the feeders,
I waited for them to look up
and see the TONS of seeds just over their heads.
With a bit more effort, they could fly up and eat seed
to their heart's content.
But that isn't what mourning doves do.
At least, not MY doves.
No.
They sit under the feeder
eating chaff and the teeny hard seeds the other birds don't want.
So. That made me think.
I was watching myself.
I see a good thing... an unheard of thing: seeds!
(Or Praise. Success. Dreams fulfilled.)
"On the ground! Where I can reach!
Wow! I'm gonna get me some o'that!"
And there I sit,
waiting for more of the good stuff,
happy eating the icky stuff.
If I would just look up!...
put a bit more effort into it....
question if that is all there is....
pay attention!...
be truly present!
Kapow!!!
What else am I missing
by believing that all I deserve is the stuff on the ground?
The leavings from others?
When did I learn to believe that I wasn't allowed the top-shelf,
the cream of the crop?
When did I decide it was OK to settle?
I hear you now.
I am listening now, o my heart.
You have been telling me I can be anything I set my mind to be.
It is never too late to start over.... never to late look up.
I can begin every day to be the person I had planned to be.
I have wings for a purpose.
Watch me stretch out! Watch me fly!
~
Comments welcomed!
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Keep reading
More stories from Judey Kalchik and writers in Poets and other communities.
Vocal Bonus Leaderboard: 05/01/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
By Vocal Team6 days ago in Resources
Comments (22)
This was really relatable for me, Judey! I feel the melancholia and the inspiration to be better/ accept better/ strive for better! This was such a great thought provoking poem! Congrats on Top Story!
I am looking forward to you flying!!! 🥰 This reminded me of Charles Bukowski's "Bluebird" in sentiment albeit almost in reverse. Congratulations on TS. I hope this is entered into the Identity challenge. 🥰
Beautifully written. You’re an Eagle Judey. 🥰
How inspiring Judey. I really enjoyed reading this. Such great observations and wonderful message.
Oh MY! What a LESSON! Great poem Judey! Great share!
I think I needed to hear this, Judey! 🩷 Thank you for sharing!
This is the kind of self-reflective and honest writing that I love most. 👏🏻
An inspirational piece , excellent work Judey
Yay! effing yay! Congrats on a fine fine Top Story, Judey!
Top Story? Indeed... Now, keep flying... ;)
This little piece is so inspiring Judey, I absolutely love it! Don’t settle when you deserve better, great message!
Whoaaa! That blew my mind! I mean, it's so true. We shouldn't just settle. We gotta spread our wings and fly!
Most bird feeders are designed for smaller songbirds & would be extremely awkward for larger birds to perch & feed. What they haven't learned is that by simply bumping into it they can knock tons of seed to the ground where they can feast. They are content with what they have (which isn't a bad lesson to learn either). That having been said, I like your lessons learned even better.
Like get out of your comfort zone and take risk!!! Inspiring!!! Love your poem, Judey!!!❤️❤️💕
What a glorious observation.
Hi 'j' ~ Just recently our 'hood 'Doves' had babies in our Garden-Pot-Supervisors, Mz. PoTtyMouths, residence. She didn't like that at all...! Fascinating watching Mom/Dad changing off guarding the youngins. HaPpy Holiday - 'j' -
I really enjoyed the thoughtfulnes and inspirational message in this. Nature has a lot to teach us if only we'd listen. I don't rememer why or when I stopped looking up but I did 🤍
A thought of beautiful inspiration!
What a very uplifting (Pun intended, maybe?) piece. On googlling sputzies, I found a very enjoyable article, too, (by a Pennsylvanian) so now I know that I enjoy watching them all, as well as the doves. Thanks for the new word, and you go get the good stuff!
Well now. what a lovely bit of natural poetry with a truly inspirational and aspirational meaning. You should reach for whatever you desire, you deserve it as much as anyone. And again, another poem you've written that makes me stop, think and also marvel at nature. Also love "sputzies"
really makes one think. Thank you for sharing
It is beautiful! So cool!! Love it! Poetry is so healing and freeing and joyful.😊💕