Someone once opined that there is a profound peace in watching a migratory bird fold its wings at last - the long exile is over; the destination has claimed its own.
“And soon that toil shall end;
Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest,
And scream among thy fellows; reeds shall bend,
Soon, o'er thy sheltered nest.”
(Verse 6, "To a Waterfowl,"
William Cullen Bryant)
In Verse 6, Bryant shifts our attention from the grueling, solitary struggle of the shorebird’s journey – evading the hunter’s gun, finding refueling stops along the way, enduring physical extremities, and flying through the cold, thin upper air of evening - to the arrival at its summer home and rest. He captures the essence of the profound relief and triumph of the shorebird’s arrival, with the tall reeds of a marsh, lake, or riverbank arching over the bird’s nest, providing a natural protective canopy or shield.
Just as the bird is guided home and reunited with its mate, the human soul is assured of finding a spiritual home in God’s love and care.
Perseverance, the theme of Bryant’s poem, is making a continued effort to do or achieve something even when it is difficult, takes a long time, or faces obstacles or opposition.
Running a marathon, solving a crossword puzzle, or writing an essay – all of these activities produce a sense of accomplishment when completed. Encountering challenges while completing the activities makes them even more meaningful.
A migratory bird epitomizes perseverance.
Another profound thought attributed to an author unknown is that of traveling thousands of miles through storm and darkness, only to land on the exact branch left behind months ago – that is the miracle of the return.
After flying 13,000 miles, the ruddy turnstone reaches his destination in the Arctic mudflats. In my book "Ruddy: Living on the Wind: A Migratory Tale" I discuss this where “…snow lingers in the shadows of the forests. A spectacled eider glides by, and more shadows appear in the water amid patches of ice. The whales are swimming, the seals are sunning, and polar bears are stalking. Ruddy’s feet finally touch down on frozen ground. It’s now summer. Ruddy is flipping stones on the tundra, where he’s staked out territory for a nest. A bird lands nearby, chirping, 'Kek, Kek, Kek.' Ruddy hunches down, approaches his shebird, raising and lowering his tail feathers. She flutters into the air, and the chase is on. The courtship dance has begun.”
“…And scream among thy fellows.”
Ruddy found fellowship with his mate in his final resting place. God promises that we will be reunited with our loved ones after death as well.
I was privileged to be with my mother when she neared her “summer home and rest.” As she lay dying, still coherent and lucid, I listened while she spoke with her mother and sister, in Heaven, telling them she would see them soon. In another conversation, she talked to her beloved Henry, my father, who was evidently “standing” at the foot of her bed! A few days later, my mother slipped seamlessly and peacefully into the arms of her Lord. **
Billy Graham believed that God often sends angels to Earth to guide souls preparing to enter the Promised Land. I have no doubt that who He sent for my mother was my father. Many years earlier, my parents promenaded down the aisle after repeating their wedding vows. Now I imagine them - tired, humble, obedient servants of God - entering the pearly gates arm in arm.
“…reeds shall bend. Soon o’er thy sheltered nest.”
“But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
To access the entire poem, visit https://poets.org/poem/waterfo...
After witnessing her mother’s death, the author was inspired to write her memoir, "In the Garden." For more information, contact the author at janethasselbring23@gmail.com
Readers can track migrating birds in their locale by downloading BirdCast.
