EAGLE TEARS
By: Marianne Kleber (MVK)
I heard the words, adult eagle, plane, dead.
I felt my stomach turn, emptiness, fear.
I heard myself say no, no, not one of ours.
I felt the need to be home, talk to my friends, close the blinds.
I heard the words, mother eagle, ours, no, no.
I felt the sting of tears, unable to breathe, complete sadness.
I heard my friends asking why, how, what now.
I felt emptiness, sadness, the need to scream.
I heard the words of thousands oh no, what now
I felt the urge to comfort, to share, to light a candle.
I heard the words he can, they will, but how
I felt endless sorrow, deep deep sorrow, pain for him
I heard the words remove, transport, survival
I felt my heart skip a beat, dread, grief.
I heard we can’t wait, best chance, today.
I watched, down they went, one by one.
Grown men – sadness, so much sadness.
They left, he returned, they were gone.
An empty nest, too soon, now what.
He left, to grieve, to mourn, to wonder.
I watched, I waited, I hoped.
They arrived, all healthy, cared for.
He flew, he soared, we watched.
I felt hope, we hoped, we shared.
A taste of happiness, sadness, memories.
I cried, I wept, I couldn’t sleep.
He was fine, flying, eating, life goes on.
They ate, they watched, they slept.
I smiled, we remembered, we planned.
They grew, he soared, we gave.
Good things, sad things, kindness.
So many felt, so many gave, so many cared.
Now we watch, we wait, we smile, we remember.
They fly, they play, they make us laugh.
New friends, old friends, friends to meet.
Goodness, happiness, teaching, learning.
Time goes by, babies grow, plans are made.
Some day, one day, they will soar, up high.
They will feel the sun, the wind, those wings.
We will watch, they will leave, we will feel emptiness.
We have learned so much, life goes on, we won’t forget
The friends made, the lessons learned, the sadness felt.
I see her fly, soaring in and out of clouds, looking, watching.
I see one, then two, three and four. They are learning.
She leads, they follow, up high, then low, gliding, rolling.
I watch, I smile, I know, they know.
Once more high, in the air, in the sun, in the clouds.
I count, one, two, three --- she knew, they knew.
By: Marianne Kleber (MVK)
I heard the words, adult eagle, plane, dead.
I felt my stomach turn, emptiness, fear.
I heard myself say no, no, not one of ours.
I felt the need to be home, talk to my friends, close the blinds.
I heard the words, mother eagle, ours, no, no.
I felt the sting of tears, unable to breathe, complete sadness.
I heard my friends asking why, how, what now.
I felt emptiness, sadness, the need to scream.
I heard the words of thousands oh no, what now
I felt the urge to comfort, to share, to light a candle.
I heard the words he can, they will, but how
I felt endless sorrow, deep deep sorrow, pain for him
I heard the words remove, transport, survival
I felt my heart skip a beat, dread, grief.
I heard we can’t wait, best chance, today.
I watched, down they went, one by one.
Grown men – sadness, so much sadness.
They left, he returned, they were gone.
An empty nest, too soon, now what.
He left, to grieve, to mourn, to wonder.
I watched, I waited, I hoped.
They arrived, all healthy, cared for.
He flew, he soared, we watched.
I felt hope, we hoped, we shared.
A taste of happiness, sadness, memories.
I cried, I wept, I couldn’t sleep.
He was fine, flying, eating, life goes on.
They ate, they watched, they slept.
I smiled, we remembered, we planned.
They grew, he soared, we gave.
Good things, sad things, kindness.
So many felt, so many gave, so many cared.
Now we watch, we wait, we smile, we remember.
They fly, they play, they make us laugh.
New friends, old friends, friends to meet.
Goodness, happiness, teaching, learning.
Time goes by, babies grow, plans are made.
Some day, one day, they will soar, up high.
They will feel the sun, the wind, those wings.
We will watch, they will leave, we will feel emptiness.
We have learned so much, life goes on, we won’t forget
The friends made, the lessons learned, the sadness felt.
I see her fly, soaring in and out of clouds, looking, watching.
I see one, then two, three and four. They are learning.
She leads, they follow, up high, then low, gliding, rolling.
I watch, I smile, I know, they know.
Once more high, in the air, in the sun, in the clouds.
I count, one, two, three --- she knew, they knew.
I don't have pictures to share except in my mind. But I’m sure many of you have the same pictures in your mind’s eye, because we have been sharing this great experience together. We may be separated by distance, but we have been brought together by a camera placed high in a tree. Here’s my walk down memory lane:
I can see Mom doing the shimmy, shimmy as she got settled on the eggs. I thought that was the cutest thing in the world and never got tired of seeing it. And I can see her taking the smallest little piece of fish for the new bobbleheads. It was so hard to connect with that moving target. But she would pick it up and try again until the little one finally got the piece of fish. She always had such patience with her little ones. Then there was the time she pecked Dad to get him out of the way because she knew an egg was on the way. Just like an old married couple. Speaking of which, I can’t help but smile when I picture Mom and Dad on a branch, side-by-side, and she is yelling in his ear. I’d love to speak eagle for a minute to know what she was saying. My favorite family memories were the feedings where Dad would tear off the piece of fish and pass it to Mom, who would feed the babies. What a touching moment. That was always a scene that I would watch in amazement until they were finished. My favorite “Mom and Dad” memory was Dad feeding Mom while she was incubating. It was unbelievably touching to see him take care of his mate like that. He was actually feeding her so she didn’t have to get up. Incredible! I only saw that happen once, but it’s an image I’ll always hold dear in my heart.
I wonder if this pair was special. Or do all eagles behave this way? I feel that they were a special pair. Their legacy of 19 eagles in 8 years is a testament to their bond with each other and the care of their offspring. These eagles have a lesson to share. To nurture your family. Take time for each other. And yes, to hold on to each other, even when your partner is yelling in your ear!
I feel for Dad right now. I don’t know if eagles can feel love. If they do, this pair was in love. If they don’t, well, they had the next best thing. I know that bald eagles will find a new mate if one dies. I have hope for our Dad. He was half of what made this nest special and he will teach his new mate well. He will be a successful father again. I hope his new mate will at least be the next best thing to what he had. And I am hopeful for the future. That they will take time for each other and nurture their family.
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