Joy

• On the Island of Hawaii
• There lived a little boy,
• His parents named him Kale’a
• The Hawaiian word for joy.
• He loved to surf the ocean
• And run across the sand,
• He whispered into sea shells
• And grew to love the land.
• He learned much from his grandparents
• All the wisdom of their years,
• They told him many stories
• About how to face his fears.
• He had many animal and human friends
• With whom he loved to play,
• Each morning he would wake up
• Thanking Spirit for his day.
• One day while on his way to school
• He stopped to see blue bird,
• He called out to the nest above
• But he didn’t hear a word.
• He gave a another call out
• And Mrs. Bird flew to the ground,
• Baby bird is very sick she cried
• and he just won’t come around.
• I’ll go get my grandfather, Kale’a said
• He always knows just what to do,
• Don’t worry; I’ll bring him right away
• So baby bird will make it through.
• Thank you Kale’a, Mrs.Blue Bird cheeped
• And Kale’a ran fast as a lion,
• Come quick, he told his grandfather
• Baby bird is sick and dying.
• Grandfather’s legs were strong and young
• And they ran back to the tree,
• They called up to Mrs. Blue Bird
• And the sick baby he did see.
• Grandfather said a blessing
• And to the little bird connected,
• It is time for his spirit to soar he said
• But he is safe and well protected.
• They gathered around the baby bird
• And prayed with all their might,
• Baby bird gave a shallow little breath
• And then soared into the light.
• Grandfather gently held the Baby Bird
• And they all cried out together,
• He knelt down next to Mrs. Blue Bird
• And he handed her a feather.
• I know you have great sadness,
• Grandfather spoke to Mrs. Bird,
• But Baby bird is with us still
• Though his voice cannot be heard.
• He is in every rainbow
• Every drop of morning dew,
• He is the tree within the forest
• He is always part of you.
• We are born onto this great Earth
• Though one day we must fly,
• We leave behind our bodies
• But our spirit does not die.
• Soon other animals gathered
• From down below and up above,
• They surrounded Mrs. Blue Bird
• And their hearts poured out with love.
• The little boy whose name meant joy
• Felt the love of all who live,
• His grandfather said to Kale’a
• We receive back what we give.
• He said know when I leave this Earth
• I am never far away,
• And when you start to feel afraid
• Call out to me to play.
• Kale’a hugged his grandfather
• And they walked back home together,
• He looked up at the setting sun
• And gently flew a feather.
• He knew that it was Baby bird
• Sending him a sign,
• That he was soaring with the wind
• And that everything was fine.

© Jen Reich 10/29/08

Helpful Links/References for the Poem Joy by Jen Reich

• Rainbow Bridge: https://naturalhealthtechniques.com/rainbow-bridge/
• What does a Blue bird sound like? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0CkR4O7JRM