Ostrich

Your head is buried in selfish sands
You pine for flight,
convinced that because you are a bird
you are entitled to it.

But your leg muscles are
stronger than your wings
--conditioned by the many times you've run away
from people you've invited into your life

Flight happens with others
but your form of relating carries you away from them
Your wings flap in an impressive span,
having mastered the art of display
and engagement
but they know nothing of
the soaring sensation accompanying a commitment
to live life's best and worst moments with another;
the euphoria of leading the flock for awhile
and then circling back and relaxing in formation.
These you may look at as leashes on your azad ('freedom' in Farsi)
but parvaz (flight) happens with others.

Community unlocks our potential and
pushes us to our perfection.
But you are blind to the reality
driving your loneliness
And you will be for as long as
you smother your senses in selfish sands.

January 8, 2008