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Stephen Jones
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 53


0 posted 2000-03-20 10:51 PM


Sparrows Also Dream

(inspired by Psalm 84:3 and Matthew 10:29)

Sparrows perch along the housetop eaves
with fragile nests tucked here and there
weaved of tiny twigs
a fleck of paper now and then
and brittle leaves
or even tuft of tangled hair.
But who on Earth is watching?
Commonplace and modest in array
of acorn brown and speckled cream
colors not so vivid
wanting charm to human eye.
And yet I pray
remember sparrows also dream
and Father God is watching.

SDJ 3/2000


 

© Copyright 2000 Stephen Douglas Jones - All Rights Reserved
Songbird
Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184
Missouri
1 posted 2000-03-20 11:23 PM


Nice thoughts here, and I love anything to do with the birds, however sparrows nest on the ground or in bushes. I think you may be referring to swallows, they are famous for building nests in the eaves of houses. They are all birds of a feather tho.
Stephen Jones
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 53

2 posted 2000-03-20 11:38 PM


Septsong,

I appreciate your reply.  I am certainly no expert on animals or anything, but I did a scant bit of research into "sparrows" before I wrote this poem.  I think that the biblical term "sparrow" actually refered to several species of small birds some of which did perch on eaves of houses (and even in Solomon's temple) The psalmist did say "I . . .am like a sparrow alone on the housetop" (psalm 102:7).  Anyway I hope my sources are correct, because I hate to have to rewrite my poem, I don't think swallow would work as well, especially in connection with the Matthew scripture.  If I'm not right that "sparrow" biblically speaking is a more general term, don't tell me and make me rewrite! (ha ha).  

thanks.< !signature-->

 

[This message has been edited by Stephen Jones (edited 03-20-2000).]

mirjam
Member
since 1999-11-24
Posts 246
Auckland, New Zealand
3 posted 2000-03-21 02:43 AM


well i haven't been here for a while and you're new but probably not that majorly new so i can't say welcome because that would be out-dated, but it's good to have you here, i REALLY like what i've read of yours so far!  I love those scriptures that inspired this poem, isn't is so cool to watch a sparrow and think how much God takes care of them (providing them with humans who will share their lunch with them etc), and how much more he takes care of us, if we only trust him.  You painted such a vivid picture of God's creatures here, i really enjoyed this.  Bless you!  
deleeme
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 1766
NEW ENGLAND, USA
4 posted 2000-03-21 06:10 AM


Stephen,
  Your poem and perspective are delightful. Because of a loving God, even the sparrows, which man deem as worth little, have hopes & dreams of a full nest,some even perched in the House of God, to which mankind should be "flocking." And because He has such care for them, being aware of their death, to which man pays little attention, should that not compel & propel us unto the arms, and concious fellowship of the One who has shown so much more attention to man!  Yes, a wondeful poem provoking many good thought, God bless you,  David

[This message has been edited by deleeme (edited 03-21-2000).]

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
5 posted 2000-03-21 06:58 AM


Dear Stephen, I love this poem. If you read my topic Soar...I like to think I am just a sparrow in waiting...All God's winged creatures have a special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing this so much.
Sincerely,
Rwood

ellie LeJeune
Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA
6 posted 2000-03-21 07:04 AM


Dear Stephen; This is a beautiful poem. Just think of the incredible Love that God has for all the tiny details of our lives and the attention He pays to each one of us. His attention to a sparrow is this message and you have done a lovely job of inspiring us with your poem. Ellie

 02



BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919
New York, USA
7 posted 2000-03-21 11:02 AM


Stephen - This is great, I love to watch the little sparrows out in the yard, catching the crumbs the other birds leave for them.... isn't it just amazing, how when we take just a moment, we can see the beauty in all of God's little creatures.   This one is beautiful, thanks for sharing it...Bonnie
Songbird
Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184
Missouri
8 posted 2000-03-21 10:45 PM


Well it is me again, and no I am not going to make you rewrite the poem, LOL. I understand it very well. You did make me curious though about this scripture so I had to go look it up, Psalms 102:7, the original Greek used in the bible is pronounced tsip-pore" and is a noun meaning bird, fowl and did not mean any particual kind of bird.  Psalm 84:3, in other translations other than King James reads something like, this Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your alter, O Lord.  Many people consider swallows a nuisence, and such common birds just as sparrows are also, Swallows are probally even thought worse of because they build messy nests on the eaves of houses and building. I certainly do not mean to be crital of your poem, I am a bird watcher, and you just made me wonder more about this scipture.  There is a really good website called Crosswalk.com that has a place on it to look up sciptures and they give you the orignal Greek and Hebrew words and all kinds of translations and commentaries on scripture. It can be alot of fun.



WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
9 posted 2000-03-22 10:58 AM


God is watching all, and that's a good thing. for we tend to let nature and other things just pass us by, as we go on worrying about ourselves.  Birds take no thought what they will eat, God feeds them faithfully.

So why us being more important than a bird, do we have such worriesome thoughts?

This is what your poem brought to my thinking, and I love it!

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

10 posted 2000-03-22 01:37 PM


Very beautiful and comforting poem, Stephen!

Denise

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