Carol A. Hand
Sweet bird, fly high
Taste the wind with your wings
Fly free in the blue sky
while the one left behind sings
of the times we’ve shared
and the joys we’ve known
of the places we’ve traveled
and the places you’ve flown
Almost always caged, now you’re free
Your empty shell at rest beneath the crab-apple tree
as your brave and blustery spirit tonight
soars aloft in your forever freedom flight
Farewell dear and faithful little friend
Note: This is a poem for my little parakeet Bud, the light blue bird on the right. He has been with me for eleven years. Today, he died doing what he most loved to do, flying fast and high. This time, his landing wasn’t gentle. I held him next to my heart and sang the beginning of this song as he gently closed his eyes. I worry that his partner, Queenie, will be lonely, but for the moment he is singing.
***
Copyright Notice: © Carol A. Hand and carolahand, 2013-2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carol A. Hand and carolahand with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Loved it! Happy to connect 💕
Do check out my writings too, will appreciate your views. ☺️
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Reva. You have a lovely blog. 🙂
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Awww Carol, I am sorry that you have lost a sweet friend…. I know how precious these little creatures are to you. On May 16, 2016 8:45 PM, “Voices from the Margins” wrote:
> Carol A. Hand posted: “Carol A. Hand Sweet bird, fly high Taste the wind > with your wings Fly free in the blue sky while the one left behind sings of > the times we’ve shared and the joys we’ve known of the places we’ve > traveled and the places you’ve flown Almost always c” >
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Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtfulness, Shirley. ❤
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So sorry to hear about Bud’s passing. It is good that you were there for him as he went to sleep.
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Your kind words are greatly appreciated, Sabiscuit. Thank you. ❤
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Oh, Carol. I’m sorry you lost your pet, Bud. How are you?
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Thank you for your kindness, Cynthia, and for asking such a thoughtful question. Loss is always difficult, but it also opens up the opportunity (need?) to reflect about what really matters in life. I wish I had answers about the more pressing health issues my grandson and daughter are facing right now, yet opening up my heart and allowing myself to grieve for Bud (and them) has helped me look within for strength.
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Oh, Carol, I’m so sorry for your loss. Our little “critter” babies are a part of our family and it’s hard to let them go. Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤
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Dear Natalie, thank you for your lovely comments and kindness. I’m deeply grateful to you. ❤
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You’re so very welcome dear Carol❣😊🌹
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Sorry to hear about your bird Bud. We can only hope to be held against a loving heart in our final moments. Take care.
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Such lovely comments, Bob. Thank you. ❤
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A sad loss. I hope you, too, keep singing.
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Thank you for your kindness, Diane. (I do have a special – silly – song I used to sing for the birds every night when I covered their cage. Last night I sang it for Queenie.) ❤
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awwww. a sweet poem for a lovely bird. sorry for your loss, Carol. 🙂
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It’s so good to hear from you, Rosema. I’m deeply grateful for your thoughtful comments. ❤
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Thank you, Carol! 🙂 You are most welcome! ❤
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Oh the poor little thing. Your poem is a lovely remembrance.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Bernadette. ❤
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Fly High Bud 💙
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Thank you, Spiritual Dragonfly 🙂
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🙂
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I know the feeling. Had a pair for many, many years. Even had one imitating half a dozen words and phrases.
Found one dead one morning, and the other, a year or two later, flew out the open door of the house and was lost. The birds spent most of their time perched on our shoulders, chirping their happy little hearts out, and how they loved having their neck and head feathers gently ruffled with a finger.
Yes, it does hurt.
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Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Norman. It is painful to lose our companions, isn’t it? I appreciate your comments and stories 🙂
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I had a parakeet when I was young. And when he was dying, I, too, held him until he passed. It was one of the hardest moments of my young life.
Eleven years is a long time. I am sorry for your loss, Carol
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What an an amazing child to show such kindness, Dave. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. (Little Bud was quite a well-traveled bird, outliving his four companions by many, many years, waking me each morning with his songs, and chirping loudly for attention when he was showing off his prowess as a fast, precision flyer.)
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My mother’s influence, Carol! She overflowed with love and compassion for everyone, including animals.
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Ahh Carol this is so beautiful and touching it brought tears to my eyes. I believe this body is but a shell that houses the soul in this material world. When the soul is present the body displays all the symptoms of life. When the soul leaves the body it is but an empty shell. The entity we knew and loved is no longer there. And yes, I believe all living things have a soul. “Almost always caged, now you’re free Your empty shell at rest beneath the crab-apple tree”
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Thank you for sharing such important insights about life and death, Maria, and for your always lovely and thoughtful comments. I am deeply grateful for your kindness. ❤
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Your goodbye image is a beautiful one, Carol. I hope its beauty comforts you.
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Thank you for your kind words, Margaret. It does help to to release grief in poignant, yet celebratory, art, something I often find in your deep, exquisite work.
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Thank you for your kind words, Carol.
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Sorry to hear this sounds like a perfect send off!
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Thank you, Equality ❤
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I used to have a bright yellow parakeet named Buttercup, and I loved her dearly. I’m so sorry to hear your friend has gone where you can’t follow.
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Thank you for sharing your kind words and memories of Buttercup, Cathleen. Our pets do live forever among our most cherished of memories. ❤
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