The Phoenix Flies Away Free

I kept my beautiful bird in a cage for six years. As I passed her by, I would hand out tidbits, feeding her, providing what I thought was best, caring for her in my way. I tended to her when I came home, while telling her all about my days. I filled her head full of all of the wonderful things I did for others. She would faithfully cock her head like she was listening and coo her approval, puffing her chest out in pride over my accomplishments. Sometimes, I would let her out, perched on my finger, delighted in her song that she sang just for me while looking deep into my eyes. But always, very carefully, I would put her back in her cage, for I wouldn’t want her to get away. 

The days I worked were long, but she was always there when I came home. Some days, as I came in from work I would pass her tiredly, as she chirped at me, waiting for my attention. It was just too much to give, requesting some quiet, I’d pass her by until I’d put my stuff down and fully rested, obliviously unaware that she had primped and preened, plucked and cleaned waiting for my return. Then, when I was ready, I would pull myself out of my chair and tell her what awesome stuff I did during the day, while forgetting to inquire about her.

My little bird started to look a little wilted, overwhelmed and sad.  Instead of the vibrancy at the end of the day, the malaise began to show. I was a little angry, because I worked all day, so hard to come home. She didn’t seem to listen to me the same or hang on every word, or appreciate all of my attention, when I finally gave it to her. I figured it had something to do with her, so I let her alone to figure it out, for I still had stuff to do. I took her out to see if it lifted her mood, but all she did was sit there and brood. She looked blankly at me as I talked myself up and told her my plans. I had no need for this, I was a man. I took my pretty bird, no longer my prized possession, but a responsibility instead; I put her back her cage as she deserved.

A few weeks later, as I passed by, I realized there was no chirping or songs for this guy. In my panic I checked the cage just to see, that my beauty had flown away and left me. After expressing my impatience for her moods, putting her back to brood, I neglected to latch the door. How rude! How dare she reject my need, didn’t she see? How selfish she was not to dote and wait on me? I talked to her every day, about things, about me. “Look at this cage;” I thought to myself, “it is luxurious and pristine, better than most I know I have seen.” I peered past the bars, and into the mirror, staring into my face. I spoke to myself like I had every day to my pretty little bird and I began to see. She tried to tell me, first using affirmation and her love, but as I only spoke about me, I missed what she was saying and she began to recede. Though I was not an ogre nor was I a beast, it started to dawn on me that I had treated her last if not least. 

Every day, at the same time, she returns to visit me. She sits out on the tree; singing, chirping and I listen willingly. I smile. I nod and think, “What a beautiful gift from God.”  I tell her she’s gorgeous, and then begin to share about my day. She gives me that smile that I love, reassuring me. Was it possible, that she was, even greater now, now that she’s free? Or was it my concern or finally learning to see and listen to her? Fly away, Phoenix, fly away free, remember always to return, to the one you love, me.