ALBERT

Once I was an un-named bird,
Unnoticed, unseen, uncared for, unheard.
My own kind despised me, the humans cared not;
And that was my life, that was my lot.

So many beatings and peckings Id face
Every day of my life, I sure knew my place.
I had no importance, that was for sure,
So Id hide in the corner upon the cage floor.

One day from the cage I was taken away,
And nobody cared that I couldn’t stay.
I didn’t care nether, I was dying, I knew,
And death was a dream that I prayed would come true.

Then one day, gentle hands picked me up, held me close,
And soothed my sore body with soft gentle strokes.
Ointments and lotions were gently applied,
But they still could not ease the torment inside.

So I tried hard to move to the land of sweet sleep,
I was tired, and worn, my pain was too deep.
But one person kept crying and calling a name..
“Albert! Albert! Please wait! Try again!’’

“She means me!” *I* am Albert! I thought in surprise
I could see she hurt too, as I looked in her eyes.
In that moment I knew I was important at last,
It was time to fight back and let go of my past.

From then on, things changed, my pain, it got less,
And my torn, ragged feathers didn’t look such a mess.
I could eat without fear, no attacks came my way,
And my heart, it felt better, with each passing day.

Now fearless, I sit in a soft human hand,
And Ive learned something special, I now understand
That as wild as it seems, its so easy to see,
That Im healing my friend, as she’s healing me.

And I know that Im loved, even by friends unknown,
I know now I’ll never again feel alone.
My life is fulfilled, my song has been heard.
I am PROUD to be Albert, the small tattered bird!

In warm, proud loving memory of my dear little Albert.

Anne.M.Kenyon