The Robin

-->Recently as I neared the turn-around point in my morning walk, I glanced right and noticed something in the nearby pebble driveway. There among the smooth brown stones lay a lifeless adolescent robin. Without hesitation, I picked up this beautifully feathered little being and said, "I am so sorry." Just as quickly, I moved a bit of mulch from the adjacent bed of roses, lay the little bird on Mother Earth then covered it.
I had been feeling particularly heavy after reading the day prior that the TN state wildlife agency has a plan that if accepted would allow the hunting of sandhill cranes as early as next year. The cranes now numbering nearly 50,000 have rebounded thanks to the wildlife refuge in Southern East TN.

What is it about an animal species being in abundance that triggers some folks fear or desire? We’ve pest control companies to kill mice and insects the smallest of creatures that frighten us and we’ve now an amendment on the upcoming November election ballot ensuring Tennesseans the right to hunt. (I’m assuming desire contributes to the need to hunt.) Although hunting rights aren’t actually threatened, there’s obviously a fear that they eventually will be (or gun manufacturers and the NRA are behind this and hope folks will get riled up and vote. I’m unsure which is more frightening, the NRA being behind this or my having just used the word riled in a sentence).

I learned of the proposed amendment the night prior to the above walk. I had just read of the cranes then as I headed to bed, I made the mistake of glancing at the Farm Bureau newspaper. According to the CEO of the TN Wildlife Federation, “As TN population grows more urban, we’re finding that people are becoming more disconnected from the land.” This man goes on to suggest that urban folk are animal rights activists who try to abolish hunting, fishing and agricultural interests.

In that moment, I wasn’t coherent enough to realize these generalizations aren’t true. In retrospect I know lots of urban folk who garden and hike because they feel connected to the land and I know rural folk who liter without thought for the land. The side effects of surgery have left me presently with a diminished capacity to ponder and wonder. Thus in the above moment, I did not think. I went straight to overwhelm and cried myself to sleep.

To my surprise the next morning, sadness didn't linger upon finding the little bird. It showed up but was quickly joined by joy and love as something my friend Marybeth said to me came to mind. After hearing of the numerous animals I had buried in the recent months, she suggested it was as if these animals came to me because they knew I would be the perfect caretaker, tending them with love and appreciation as they left this world.

This is what upsets me so with potentially hunting the sandhill cranes, as well as the numerous dead animals on the roadside and interstates, stories of intended harm to animals and the unacceptable living conditions created by agribusiness for raising cows, pigs and chickens. Mice and insects aren’t the pests. We are the pests on Mother Earth’s body and in my opinion our history of exploiting Mother Earth and her kin suggests we’ve not been the best of caretakers.

All Nature desires is that we walk Earth and live here from a place of gratitude, that in our hearts we carry a vibration of appreciation. It is so simple and yet so often I forget this truth.

Gratefully the morning of my walk, I sincerely thanked this little bird for coming to Earth as I buried it. In the next block I came to a stand of bamboo and immediately took one leaf to place on the little grave. I made my turn then realized I needed two more leaves as the words faith, hope and love crossed my mind's radar.

Three slender evergreen leaves, faith, hope and love, now lay on that dear robin's grave.

This robin’s presence along my path rekindled faith, hope and love in my recovering heart and body and reminds me that my task isn't to get entangled in the energy of fighting what I perceive as wrong in today’s world, but to to consciously stay connected to me, the 'land' in which I reside and lovingly speak essence, the truth that arises for me.

My truth is that the animals, trees and plants are here to teach us how to live, providing mirrors into ourselves as well as bridges if we cross them to one another. This is my truth for now. I cannot make another listen. I can only ensure I am listening and looking in the mirror or crossing the bridge as it arrives. Frankly since surgery I’ve not had much brain or heart power to get that job done as I would aspire.

My encounter with the robin reminds me that I am recovering my heart’s vibration, my portion of the heart of the world as I open to the beautiful sorrow and joy that arises from bearing witness whether along my morning walk or along the path of these Times. We are each caretakers of our own little personal corner of the world starting with how we care for ourselves.

Imagine the Shift as more of us walk Earth with gratitude and appreciation with hearts unfolding and minds opening as we bear witness to and engage with the opportunities of these Times. I can't imagine a more beautiful reason for being alive which for me includes tending the animals that cross my path whether on my street or in the media like the cranes. Bless them all. We are fortunate they are here with us in the times.

-Dawn! the Still here, not quite as coherent Good News Muse, 13 Sept. 2010

Click HERE for the link to the news story on the sandhill cranes and the proposed hunting season.