The Raven's Empty Nest

1

The Raven’s Empty Nest2

I sit in the park now all alone3

thinking about the seeds I have sown.4

Reflecting my days I should’ve done more.5

Eighty cents in my pocket I try to ignore.6

It’s all but gone, it’s all I’ve got left.7

Will I forever be lost in this cleft?8

I should be further along than I am.9

Looking around me my heart it is bound.10

The hound does chase the squirrel up the tree.11

Looking on is a man, a boy and then me.12

A mother watches her children at play.13

“I want mine here too” I thought in dismay.14

My children are grown as well they should.15

If only it were here in which they stood.16

I wish I had known, I wish I had seen.17

Now it’s too late, it’s merely a dream18

I ponder the days “Where have they gone?”19

Slowly and surely I inch my way on.20

So many questions dance round in my head,21

doubts and fears are heavy as lead.22

Shadows and skeletons they do now embrace.23

I can not watch so I hide my face.24

The music it has a cumbersome sound.25

I wish I could turn the volume way down.26

Things are so different yet they’re the same.27

I’ve covered myself with such guilt and shame.28

Forever my soul does cry with regret.29

It’s hard not to worry, complain or to fret.30

For these things do not help for so I am told.31

It’s best that you learn this before you are old,32

with your gait unstable and gray in your hair.33

You will be so bitter that you won’t even care.34

I am so tired and there are miles still ahead.35

In the back of my mind I wish I were dead.36

Oh my soul with such heaviness pleas37

“Revive thyself and conquer the seas!”.38

Still no strength to rise from the fall,39

my soul too weak to answer the call.40

So heavy with burden, so laden with care,41

I think to myself “I don’t have a prayer”.42

I try to sing, but my heart is not free.43

A raven just landed up high in a tree.44

She flew away and swayed with the wind.45

She left no message, no comfort to lend.46

“Where is she going?” I’m wondering now.47

The raven so black so far from the ground.48

I wish I could go a follow her close,49

perhaps there are answers that only she knows.50

I followed the raven only in my mind.51

Not too close and not too far behind.52

I think she knew that with her I must go,53

perhaps she had answers that only she knows54

She rested herself, but I think just for me.55

She knew I was tired, but I wanted to see.56

Where were we going? Where would we land?57

Does she know I need help? Will she understand?58

She came to a place and perched in a tree,59

with warm invitation “Come sit here by me”.60

I made my way over and then looked around.61

We were so far up, so high from the ground.62

I looked to my left and then to my right.63

There was a nest, so tidy, so tight.64

I felt such sorrow, a deep hurt in my chest.65

I looked at her puzzled “Where are the rest?”66

“They are not here for this you can see.67

My children have flown and now it’s just me”.68

“How sad you must be while here you remain.69

No children to hold, how do you stay sane?”70

She looked at me with eyes so sweet.71

“Come my dear child, sit here at my feet”.72

As she did speak my heart felt a flutter.73

I was amazed at all she did utter74

“Yes, my children are gone while sadness I felt,75

remembering the times by their beds I had knelt.76

I’ve looked back in sorrow, with woes of regret,77

wondering if there’s something I could’ve done yet.78

I cried and cried ‘oh I wish I could79

do it over again, oh this I now would’.80

I’ve made mistakes I cannot take back.81

I was so angry at all I had lacked”.82

“Oh dear raven you do understand83

how my children have slipped right through my hand.84

The years gone by, no way to regain,85

the tears of sorrow they do fall like rain”.86

“Listen my dear one, there’s more to this tale.87

I did not stay long in that dark, cold jail.88

A dear old raven took me close to her feet89

and tenderly spoke words ever so sweet.90

I listened in awe as you now do.91

I was amazed at all that she knew.92

The sorrows of life with me she did share,93

the ups and the downs all laden with care.94

The wonders, the sights, the memories of old,95

some were so warm, some ever so cold.96

Just as the old raven once said to me97

‘Listen my child this you must see’.98

This is the circle your children have flown.99

They are now gone to nest of their own.100

Do not dismay and do not despair101

the love you did give them, the time and the prayer.102

They do now cherish the things you did give.103

You must let them go so they too can live.104

To teach their young and so they will105

give heed to your words” she said with a shrill.106

“So as you do listen as one day I did.107

There’s freedom beyond the memories you’ve hid.108

Regrets they will come, regrets they will go109

so treasure the moments for this I do know.110

The burden you carry can be tossed aside.111

You did your best so do not you hide112

the wisdom, the knowledge that you have so learned113

your children will listen for this they do yearn”.114

All of the sudden I looked about.115

The raven had gone and this I did shout.116

“Thank you dear raven for all you did lend.117

You’re truly an angel, a comfort, a friend”118

I picked up my guitar, my paper, my pen.119

I walked to my car, a new life begin.120

I pondered the raven and her words so kind121

“always look forward, never behind”122

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