Like a muddy bird in a sudden sunbeam,
For a moment, she believes she may fly,
But the moment passes and
She settles back down into the gray mud
.
Sing muddy bird!
Sing with all your might!
Let your whole self burst forth into song!
.
Someday.
Someday, I will quit this place.
My hope will swell and
Fill me enough to float to yonder branches
And there I will see the sky
And feel the warm sun
And the dried mud will flake off
And I will breathe deep the better air
And throw back my head, fearless
And I’ll sing with my whole self,
Belly and tail feathers vibrating,
Trees and sky reverberating
With the fullness of my song!
.
Someday, when my hope swells.
But not yet.
The mud is still wet and heavy.
The branches are so thick.
