Bluebird

Bluebird

She was a very pretty young woman

with a young son at home,

makin' do as best she could.

She was just struggling

to find her way and get by.

She'd been through

some pretty hard times

with an ex-husband

who had a bad turn in the army

and came home

refusing to treat her right.

She told me as we sat talking,

“John, I've got to pull myself back up

and get on with my life.

'Get back to my art and my writing.”

Her spirit was a bluebird,

flying high and untamed

in an endless summer sky,

and I could see a powerful magic

in the bright spark of her eyes.

I knew, even if she didn't right then,

that come what may,

she would find a way through.

'Said to her,

“If you believe

the wide screen television,

all you gotta do

is drink the right beer,

get a few tattoo’s,

use the right toothpaste,

and buy the right brand

of pick-up truck.

Do this, they tell you,

and life will be perfect.

Buy lots of stuff

you don't really need

with money you don't really have

and everything will all fall

right into place for you

and you'll be a resounding success.

Now, anyone with half a brain

knows that's all a scam

and a big pile of horseshit.

I took a drink of my coffee

and went on,

“Invest time, instead, in your son

and in your family.

Invest in those whom you love

and who love you back.

Remember, true love begins

only when two share

what is deep in their souls.

Everything before that

is just practice.

Invest time in your own creativity,

in your own art, writing and music.

Invest in the voyage to discover

the world inside yourself,

and in your long journey

out into the world around you.

Invest time in books

and in the great thoughts

of those who came before you.

Trust always the voice

that speaks from your heart.

Remember to laugh

at yourself like Red Skelton.

Let the child that you are deep inside---

The one who plays peek-a-boo

with the work-a-day world,

come out and romp in the green grass

and make splashes

in the puddles when it rains.

Remember to notice the sliver moon

high in the sky at night

and always keep a look out

for beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Invest, your time, my friend,

in people, emotions, ideas and ideals.

As all the years roll on by,

you'll be very much happier for it.”

She went off to think for a bit.

When she returned,

she poured me some more hot coffee,

then she smiled and said,

“Thank you much, John.

I think you've inspired me.

Hold on for a minute

while I find a pen and paper.”

I smiled back and told her,

“I'm just returning the favor.”

Dewey Dirks