The parable of Sister Buzzard

Friedrich Nietzsche

(a soaring turkey buzzard over the skies of Troup Co. Georgia / Julie Cook / 2014)

I asked for wings so I could fly my way to find you,
because I knew you were just beyond the clouds.
By day I would search the endless skies,
. . . but you were not to be found in the skies.
By night I would scan the dark horizon,
. . .but I could not see you in the darkness.
I flew over vast oceans seeking you,
because I knew you would be sailing across the seas.
I soared over every body of water on earth,
. . . but you were not to be found on the oceans, rivers or steams.
I flew through valley glens and mountains high,
because I knew you would be walking across the earth.
. . .but you were not found traversing the land. . .

My heart grew heavy because my wings did not help me find you.
My eyes failed to see you
My ears failed to hear you
My nose failed to find your scent

With no other choice, I flew onward, continually seeking your presence,
yet I began to fret. . .
The question of why echoed in my thoughts.
My failure to find you plagued my heart.
Was it because. . .
I am dull and bland?
I am not majestic or grand?
I am not flamboyant or colorful?
I am not popular or sought after?
I am a seeker of that which is discarded and thrown away?
I am ridiculed and looked down upon?
I am chased away and shunned?
I am not wanted?
I am not pretty?

On a deep blue cloudless day, as the brilliant Sun danced lightly across the sky,
Brother Sun stopped to ask, “Sister Buzzard why do you seem so sad?”
I explained to Brother Sun of my quest. . .that it was my desire to fly, where ever my wings could carry me, in hopes of finding you.
Brother Sun warmly wrapped me in his rays and said to me,
“Oh sweet Sister Buzzard, be of good cheer young bird, for you are greatly loved and richly blessed beyond measure.”

“But Brother Sun, how do you know this?” was my sad reply

“Sister Buzzard, I smile upon you daily, just as He asks me to in order to warm your wings.
Brother Night envelopes you each evening, allowing you to rest in peace, just as He commands.
Brother Rain falls upon you cleansing the air you both fly and breathe in, exactly as He would have it.
Sister Moon glows for you at night, offering you hope in the darkness, just as He requests.
Brother Wind blows lifting you gently higher in the sky just as He desires.
Sister Mother Earth provides you life as well as death for your very survival, just as He has deemed.
You need no longer fly endlessly searching. . .for He is constantly at your side and you are forever in His presence.

And so it was. . .Sister Buzzard had found her peace, which was never far from her touch, resting in the warm thermal skies as she now contently swirls in the new found knowledge of the Love of the One who has deemed that all shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of thing shall be well. . .

Deuteronomy 4:29-31