Joy–A Poem by Jen Reicht

Denice Moffat

13 years ago

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.

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