Wingtip

               

Robin Bouttell

 

Wingtip

 

The birds – are they worth remembering?
Is flight a wonder and one wingtip a
space marvel?
When will man know what birds know?

 

 

Carl Sandburg

 

from "Rainbows are Made"

 

 

"When will man know what birds know?" Not a small question. Is there a person who hasn't wondered what a bird knows? (Breathes there a man with soul so dead...?!!) It's not a simple question - putting ourselves behind a bird's eyes, with the vision of a bird, what is the sky, what are clouds, what is rain to a bird? What is that moment of tipping from sky to earth? That skimming across an air current, that smack from a gust of wind? And what is the instinct to sing? Is it joy? Is it speech? Are birds artists or carpenters? What do birds think?

And does it matter? That's rhetorical, that question. Just like, "The birds - are they worth remembering?" Certainly they are. Sandburg wouldn't have written the poem if he didn't know so. It's more than rhetoric, it's close to being a laugh. Are the birds worth remembering?!!

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And yet not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father knowing." (Matthew 10:29) He knows what they know. He can see through their eyes. It has made me wonder over the years - is there a unique relationship between animals and their Creator? Do they know things about Him that we don't? Is that possible? I don't mean these questions in a sentimental way - Sandburg writes simply, plainly, (a child could understand) but his thoughts are deep.