Birdsong by Rumi

Birdsong brings relief
to my longing
I'm just as ecstatic as they are,
but with nothing to say!
Please universal soul, practice
some song or something through me!

I’ve never really been able to “get into” poetry. I’ve tried. Many times, and with various motivations ranging from thinking that I “should” like it to hoping that I might feel something. And there have been a few occasions where it hit home. Like the time our dear friend Becky wrote a heartfelt poem and read it at our wedding. That was a special moment.

I don’t think we were poolside for more than 5 minutes before my friend and neighbor, James (a year younger and much bigger), pushed me in. I don’t think he did it to be mean, it’s just something little boys do. I have never been so terrified in all my life. I sunk like a lead weight (or at least this is how I remember the event) into the deep end. I remember looking up and freaking out because I couldn’t breathe.