The Eagle Sage

The Eagle only has this moment

In mind; it is immersed in now

Sometimes I wish I was more like this

Such freedom comes from only worrying

About attending to the body's needs

There would be no concern of the future

Or regret of the past

Only now

 

The Eagle skips the wind before me

Like a rock thrown by a hand will 

Skip on water; if thrown just right

Closer to the water, the Eagles intent shown only

To its shadow

Talons extended, it plucks the writhing fish

Whose mouth is agape in the moment of surprise

The movement of now

 

Well fed, the Eagle takes to the sky

And the warm rising currents of the wind

I wonder what the world would sound like

From way up there; where the clouds tickle the blueness

The Eagles circling, lazy flight is more like a flying meditation

Then I ever realized

No wonder it is the source of powerful Native myth

Teaching of now

 

I suddenly come to the understanding

That I don’t have what it takes to be a good Eagle

I have a fear of heights

And would undoubtedly fall from the nest

I would make a better Crow or Seagull

They fly closer to the ground

And have my love for the seashore

Welcoming my part in now

Reviews

[Ed Hart]

It is our nature to project our minds upon the things of the world, and read there what we think of ourselves. We call the eagle mighty, brave, master of the air, but none of these things are to the credit of the eagle, because those qualities of "eagleness" we so admire are gifts of time, and not accomplishments the eagle made.
For us humans, to acquire one or some of the eagle's nature is a quality of character, of accomplishment--especially as a symbol of strength, or the appearance of "nowness".
To be locked into the now, with no other virtue than to be good at getting your dinner, is a definition for all instinctual life. For a human being--a true sage--to have taken up residence in the "now" is to step outside of time and assume those qualities of character of (yes) fearlessness, but a fearlessness that is clothed in a radiance of love; it is the house of miracles.
This is no place to fear, but the consummation of that great journey that all traditions of mind and heart point to. Like the eagle, it is our nature to test our limits of ascension; the eagle in the agile sky; you and me, in the heart of mind.
To have a healthy fear of heights keeps us from the abyss edge, but does not make us small. To recognize where we are on life's great journey, is only being true to ourselves; and, being true to ourselves is the very virtue that puts air under our wings, and allows us comfortably to fly higher...

[Sean M. Addams]

a very beautiful piece you put alot into this.. a wonderful tribute the wise old eagle.. a very impressive piece!!! nice job

[clemon73]

Excellent job, you are an inspiration. I an in WOW of this. You never disappoint.

[Jenny Nelson]

Good observation and and very picuturesque, conveying quite a beautiful picture. I love the honesty at the end. A very pleasant piece.

[Daydreamer54]

I like ur symbolisim 4 the eagle! :)

[Ellen Hammond]

Sometimes we forget that no matter how much we wish to soar with the eagles, we are grounded, without wings, and the only way to really soar with the eagle is to be the fish in its talons. And that can mean only one thing, we become easy prey. LOL

I really like how you summed this poem up, with a touch of reality and living in the here and now. Great job, as always.

[An owl on the moon]

What a beautiful expression of freedom and graceful power, through the eyes of the eagle. I have such an affinity to eagles, some near my house, and this brought them that much closer... Your personal thoughts are honest and rich too... Thank you so much for sharing!

[Taylor H.]

this was intense and beautiful. great job!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Oh Tigra you have outdone yourself... such an astounding piece of self revelation and a gifted account of the most noble bird... that last stanza was amazing, it really showed your human side... knowing you have fears and limitations yet you know there are other ways to achieve your dreams... Really amazing work.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I'd probably be a heron; fishing in the shallows and only going for dip in the deep when it got hot weather; hanging out by the rivers and the sea as well; exciting the tourists and getting sunburn on my knobby knees. lol Great poem!

[Bette]

i like this, well done. i take it that your an animal lover. your poem is beautiful!