The Stranger

Blue Jays
LIke their wings their paths of life
Fall rise twist and curve.
They tell me their stories
Each memory
Perfectly cradled on the tips of their wings
Safe in their subconscious minds
Gilded wings flapping
Small feet tapping
My hands clapping
In the midst of fun laughter and tears
The black clad shadow appears
Sweeping out the sun like dust on a broom
It's falling fast out of the deep blue sky
All the blue Jays sit and cry
Why?
In a sudden sharp breath
Momma blue jay sighs
It's Grandma Raven and soon she'll be safe in her haven
Grandma blue jay pulls me up to the dying black bird
We finally meet
Grandma Raven was a ghost to me
Never saw her
Just two more strangers
Unknown to the world
And to each other
Sure I've heard words
Words are garbage a person is priceless
Here we sit and get introduced
I never imagined I'd sit here to cry
For a stranger
Why?
I don't understand this poor creature
And why she affects me so
In all my life I've never felt so low
Behind me are murmurs from voices
I can't understand
Are clambering and shouting
LIke a marching band
Solemn words with happy intentions
They pick up a the grave mood
Memories circle the room
The stranger is old but ageless
I now understand
Why I weep for the stranger
Grandma Raven taught me well
Time is precious but limited
Watch it slip through your fingers like a cool winter breeze
Your life could end before you sneeze
Grandma Raven this is your lesson
And now hear my confession
My teardrops linger
Just for you
I took you for granted
Then once more I chanted
Into the gray skies
Fly Grandma Raven
Be safe in your haven.