The Sparrow Poem by Speedy Hartman

By; John “ Speedy “ Hartman


as I gazed upon a single sparrow
skittering across the open lawn
trying to take flight
only to collapse
wanting to stay unnoticed
but surely knowing his life
hinged on higher branches
it was upon closer look
I noticed the mass of feathers
missing, broken, all in a tangle

was this an accident?
Or just a cruel deed.
beside the bent, crippled wing
hung a stringy lanyard
at it's end hung
an old lead toy soldier

the fright this poor creature must know
who could have willingly inflicted on this little soul
not only was the sparrow in now torment for so was I

I like my small companion the sparrow
have bent and crippled wings
I unable to cross and render him aid
all I can do is feel his sorrow
and it makes me question
does he feel mine?

unexpectedly, from up the sidewalk
came the laughter of a small boy
no more than six, peddling an old
fire engine red tricycle
with baseball cards
stuck in his spokes

the boy and the bird had crossed paths before
for instead of trying to fly away
the bird now choose to hop
to the lowest branch of the nearest tree
then to the next higher up
and then the next

until he was far from harms way
and as I watched
this desperate attempt unfold
I knew then that God
made those lower branches
for them that cannot fly…



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