The Writer’s Digest is hosting its annual Poem a Day (PAD) Chapbook Challenge. Day Twenty-two’s prompt is “a bird poem.” 

When I think of birds, I think of Luke 12:24 which reads, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” This verse served as inspiration.

You may listen to me read the poem via the player below.

I worry for what the future will bring:
The clothes that I’ll wear, the food I’ll eat,
Whether there’ll be vict’ry or defeat,
Or hunger in longing, death, then nothing.

At night in my bed I toss and turn,
Wrestle with rest and contentment,
Burdened by hurt, replaying resentment
And reddened by shame, regret’s flushing burn.

‘Consider the ravens,’ Jesus said.
‘They neither sow nor strain to reap
They don’t build barns to store and keep
Grain, nor do they fret for their bread.’

Yet they are busy to get what they eat;
They spend their day looking on the ground;
They scratch for their food, dine on what’s found,
Then roost in a tree, tuck heads, and sleep

So, work hard as they to find what He gives
Be the bird who considers, feeds, and lives.
 
© Randall Edwards 2020