Dancing the Dream: Poems and Reflections (1991) is a wonderful book written by Michael Jackson. One of my favorite little essays tucked away unobtrusively within its pages is Two Birds. I quote the essay here. Below Michael’s beautiful essay is my response, a kind of ‘conversation in poetry.’ We will return to the Conversations Series soon.
Two Birds
It’s hard to tell them what I feel for you. They haven’t ever met you, and no one has your picture. So how can they ever understand your mystery? Let’s give them a clue.
Two birds sit in a tree. One eats cherries, while the other looks on. Two birds fly through the air. One’s song drops like crystal from the sky while the other keeps silent. Two birds wheel in the sun. One catches the light on its silver feathers, while the other spreads wings of invisibility.
It’s easy to guess which bird I am, but they’ll never find you.
Unless …
Unless they already know a love that never interferes, that watches from beyond, that breathes free in the invisible air. Sweet bird, my soul, your silence is so precious. How long will it be before the world hears your song in mine? Oh, that is a day I hunger for!
Soul of Humanity
Song of My Soul
Your lilting melody,
Binds us with golden jesses
In your music
Your song of love so vast
Embraces all, excludes none
Spans the universe
Your heartbeat
Moves ocean tides
Harmonies my soul rides
In you, I find more love
Than I ever knew to pray for
To you, I run
Unashamed, unafraid
Sure of my welcome
In your arms
Beneath your gaze
I blossom into heavenly bloom
Petals shyly unfolding
Release heady, intoxicating incense
To lure you closer
Ever closer
You are security
The roots of my yearning
A tiny flame planted in my heart
Grows to a fireball and
Sets galaxies burning
Let me shelter beneath
Your canopy
When the icy cold finger of fear
Has me in its grip
There I know safety
Let the branches of your love
Shield my quivering form
When thunder and lightning
Rend the peaceful approach
Of the mighty storm
In the midst of the tempest
You are my comfort,
My survival,
My warmth
The enticements of the world
Hold no temptation
Only in your song
Do I find inspiration
In every waking moment
The whisper of your presence
Is my companion
Your laughter is balm
To my wounded, shattered soul
Mending it
Making it whole
In rising, I pray your name
No other sound
Passes my lips
No other thought
Vast enough to
Contain my piercing need
To hold you ever closer
in my heart
In falling
I fall into you
Without fear of shattering
The smallest particle of my being
Throughout my day
You are the melody
My heart sings
Raising me up
To fly on wings
Of gossamer splendor
Lifted by the current
Of your sweet breath
In my prayers
It is the haven
Of your eyes I seek
Your heart I hold
Your soul that holds me
In my rest
Your hand invites
Me into your caress
Where playing is loving
Fun is fruitful
Laughter is hope
Faith is free
And love is the air
That breathes us
Together in joyous rhapsody
My gratitude is boundless
My love wordless
A sacred, silent, aching
Symphony
Of never-ending praise
Timeless
Ageless
Fathomless
Speechless
You are Ecstasy
My only reality
Soul of Humanity
Wow, you’re quite a poet, Jan!!! Amazing!!!
Oh Jan,
This is splendor…. sooooo beautiful!!
I think you know how I feel about Two Birds. And this poem you have written in response to it is, well…. it’s like a rhapsody! You ARE the beautiful, shimmering bird with silver feathers whose song drops like crystal from the sky. You have given my heart expression and I thank you. We are ONE!
Although I love the entire ensemble, this stanza speaks volumes to me of Michael and the essence of his love energy.
Your song of love so vast
Embraces all, excludes none
Spans the universe
Your heartbeat
Moves ocean tides
Harmonies my soul rides
In you, I find more love
Than I ever knew to pray for
The intensity, the force of his love continues and it is truly MORE than I ever knew to pray for!
Also, I want to say that I am honored to have my little contribution of the background in your beautiful photo be a part of this amazing piece! The sun bursting forth from behind the clouds makes a stunning backdrop for his unmistakable silhouette. It reminds me of the light that came bursting forth from my soul in 2009… and there he was, in the midst of it all!
Thank you for this beautiful gift, my friend.
~ Char
Jan, just beautiful and moving as always. Thank you for sharing your neverending love for Michael with us. I am not a poet or a writer, but I recognise Love.
Your poem is really beautiful Jan! Oh, I love Dancing the Dream… so much love, talent and deepness our dear friend has… that’s why we love him so..
Have a wonderful Sunday, you all! 😉
Lovely poem Jan! I received the “Dancing the Dream” book for my birthday a few days ago. I did have a copy, but it was my sister’s, so I had to give it back 😉 She found a copy for me in her City 🙂 Beautiful and spiritual……………..
Light and Love Susanxox
Beautiful Jan—just beautiful
Dawn