THE LONELY SPARROW

I lie awake and I have become a lonely bird alone on a rooftop. Psalm 102:7

The Lonely Sparrow

I saw two small speckled sparrows

perched on a tree

Tiny and insignificant

no one seems to see.

 

Their tattered coats were brown

speckled with black

Feathers ruffled

as the wind beat upon their back.

 

Two small sparrows

that God forgot

In one stormy night

one fell and the other did not.

 

One lone speckled sparrow

went on and on

Looking in vain

for the one that was gone.

 

Its downcast eyes looked dimmed,

brokenhearted

soul achin'

but can't fly away to escape the rain.

 

Once a cheerful little bird

who enjoyed a company

There was little left to find

but the comfort of the canopy.

 

Neither a robin nor a jay

would dare come

It won't say a word

because of what it has become.

 

Mundane and indifference

forced this lone sparrow to flee

And now it has no other place to live

but on a broken tree.

 

I saw that little speckled sparrow

sitting alone on that old tree

And I cry in silence because the sparrow

was me ...

by NeiL ArandA 10/2005

Author's Note

" And most of all LORD please free me from this aching metal ring and open out my cage towards the Son "

The sparrow is one of the most common birds on earth. Wherever you go you will be sure to see and hear them. The sparrow is a cheerful little bird and it is only really happy when it has company. But in Psalm 102:7 we find a lonely sparrow. The Psalmist, usually so joyful in the Lord, is feeling depressed, distressed and forsaken. He feels just like a lonely sparrow alone on a rooftop of a house.

“If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.” ~ Jodi Picoult

Reviews

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

Neil, I almost cry with your story here. Why you called yourself a Lonely Sparrow.

In life, we need company. We need someone to be with us. But when that only companion we have is gone, then each moment would be sorrowful for the one left.

Neil, you are a good person. You can find someone who will go with you on that tree.

This is so moving but brilliant. The word choice, the rhyme and rhythm are exceptional. Neil, you are an exceptional poet! I salute you!

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks Dhaye for this comment. I think I have just explained to you the meaning of this piece. Its my first debut to poetry.

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

Yes, that was my review 2 weeks ago. You only read it late. Hehe. You're welcome.

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

Nicely penned reflection on perspective. Bittersweet writing of loss and loneliness. I like the reference to scripture. Well done.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you for the visit and the read. Appreciate your kind words

[Ghost of Jupiter]

My heart just broke... This poem elicited more emotion in me that I know what to do with now. I am rendered a bit speechless. A wonderfully sad yet beautiful write, Neil... well done.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you K that you took your time reading this piece. This was my birthplace to poetry. Thank you that you felt the emotions there...

[Faceless Poet]

as faceless as the masked pretend
of many happiness I see, I lend
hopefully some of it will rub off
to stop me from being aloof

still I felt the selfishness
a result of my block existence
as if nothing is wrong
I stay silent from all the songs I hear
Like I never bear to understand,
for the world doesn’t seems to care

but then again …
it was:
I, who didn’t know
I, who didn’t grow
I, who stop his glow
I, who seems to end his tomorrow
I, of whom, just another one of many lonely sparrow…

My Responsive approach, to a highly emotional piece.
- faceless being.

[NeiL ArandA]

You can spin lines faster than a spider spins its web ... intriguingly amazing :)

[Faceless Poet]

you are amazing too, mr. sparrow... :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Neil... I can hear violins playing
In eulogy for the fallen sparrow.
The sparrow left alone sleeps in a
broken tree where apricot sunset
songs offer reprieve. You are
Truly an artist of tenderness. Pat

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you Pat for the visit and read

[Marie]

This is so terrible sad...

[NeiL ArandA]

I'm glad I painted the saddest picture with my pen. Its my first attempt to penned the most saddest piece. If you said it . Then its a compliment ...Thanks you so much Ms Marie

[Lydia Shutter]

To be lonely is to feel separated from the rest of the world. Happy people like to share their happiness with others....to be social. Sure, being alone does not necessarily mean one is lonely, but I think most people want companionship at least some of the time. The spirituality in this poem is so beautiful, Neil. A bittersweet masterpiece. Even the photo you chose to accompany your words is lovely. Lydi**

[NeiL ArandA]

You hit it right on the ball. Thanks Ms Lydia.. I missed you lately. Glad we got reconnected again

[Lydia Shutter]

Absolutely!

[Mockingbird]

conveys grief and loss and the difficulty it is to move on from tragedy. this is a very moving poem. it's good to find peace and comfort in God.

[NeiL ArandA]

Hey Moc sorry I missed this one ...Been busy lately ....Thanks so much my friend.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

This is painfully filled with loss, it's a well written piece.

[NeiL ArandA]

I agree with ice, beneath... the sparrow should never be lonely. You write with such beauty friend... maybe it came from higher power, (me an atheist) but richly spiritual, on other ways, (my own heart, and love inside)... and this brings me a feeling you're a searcher, a traveler too, one who will find his bird one day.... we have lot's of sparrow's here in the Netherlands, and in summer time, they grave little holes in the sand to cool their warm chests... like a bath in the sand... it's funny to observe them. Your write has a cadence that sounds like music, when reading out loud, well done Neil. Well done.

- Elisa

[NeiL ArandA]

Elisa indeed... A life changing experience happened to me. It was so painful that I don't know how to express my grief and sorrow to God.. And I found poetry to express and pour out my heart to God. Just like King David who penned the Book of Psalms . Jesus healed my broken heart and along with it He also gave me a little token , a gift of poetry ... You and Blue Ice has a lot in common . I will be coming back for more of your piece ... I saw one there that I really love " To Daydream " ...thanks for the visit Elisa..

My honest pleasure Neil, truly. I hope you have a beautiful weekend, take much care.