The morning of January 28. Almost seven o’clock. Driving to work in the lowest spirits I’ve had in a long time.
Several factors contribute to this. Usually I can find ways to redirect my thinking, but this morning I cannot. Tired, melancholy, self-worth ebbing…I don’t have strength to face the workday.
Driving past barren fields, icy ponds, old tobacco barns, and rural homes with white smoke rising from chimneys, I say aloud, “God, I could really use encouragement today.”
Rounding the next bend, I see a lone tree in the otherwise empty field. In the naked branches of the tree sits an enormous buzzard, its back to me.
I amost pay it no mind, except to think That’s a really big bird.
Just as I am passing, the bird turns its head in my direction…oh, what I’d have missed if I hadn’t been looking!
Stunned, I begin to cry.
Sometime later I capture the moment in a double etheree:
Bird’s Head
My
prayer
is for strength
as I drive round
the bend in the road
where a lone, lifeless tree
stands stripped in a barren field.
Perched there in those gnarled old branches
is a huge buzzard. It turns its head
just as I pass…a white head, shining like
fresh snow in sunlight, brilliant to blinding
…a bald eagle, enduring winter,
keeping watch high above the earth.
Jolted by this fierce response
I drive onward, sobbing
for the provision,
newfound courage
singing wild
in my
veins.
An old eagle sketch of mine
*******
with thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the March Slice of Life Story Challenge
Note: The eagle was still in the tree that afternoon and over the next couple of days. I’ve learned that eagles do this in winter, to conserve energy. Its presence was exactly the energizing spark I needed to rise above: “Courage, dear heart…”
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lit bits and pieces 
Beautiful encouragement. I love when nature supports us like this … magical.
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Clearly, that buzzard spoke to your sadness and it would seem that his image and his stature watching out over the bleak horizon stayed with you and perhaps even inspired you,
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God is with us…
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Exactly <3. The first mention of eagles in Scripture is Exodus 19, when God reminds the Israelites of his provision in setting them free from oppression: "I bore you on eagle's wings and brought you unto myself." This verse returned to mind on the sighting – and set me free.
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Sometimes signs appear when I need them most. Love that the eagle turned when he did and inspired you forward on a more positive path!
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God has that great habit of showing up just at the right time – usually for me – in the form of birds. I can just see that beautiful grand eagle. Chin up, Fran, you are beloved!
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Amazing. A pivotal moment captured in an instant and then captured again in a beautiful poem. I wasn’t familiar with an etheree, much less a double etheree, but it fits the moment so well. I love the ‘gnarled old branches’ and the ‘brilliant to blinding’ and the ‘provision singing wild’. The jolt reminds me of a defibrilator shocking someone back to life. This was inspiring. It reminds me, though, that we have to remember to be asking for and looking for these moments.
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The divine is at work in your words. Beautifully crafted, each line packing so much power. I, too, have not seen a double etheree, a mirror to your prayer. From the drive to the sighting to the reflection, your words and drawing are meticulous and exquisite.
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Love your poem, Fran. I understand those despondent moments, the struggle to move past disappointments and difficult emotions and how something in nature feels like a message from above. Powerful post!
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Fran, this shows that God listens and answers our prayers.
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Fran, those downtrodden times turn so quickly on these moments when we so strongly feel the presence of God. I love that you prayed for the encouragement and there it was – – and the good Lord knows exactly how to get your attention to show His presence, too. Beautiful slice and gorgeous sketch.
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Great poem to capture that moment and I love the drawing of the eagle. So proud and strong
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This reminds me of one of my favorite songs: On Eagle’s Wings. Have you heard it?
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Beautiful song and video, Leigh Anne – deepest thanks.
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You so beautifully described your experience and the poem was exquisite. Beginning the last line with the word “Jolted” was powerful. Furthermore, I’ve had similar experience where something unusual “jolts” me old of the doldrums. The sketch of the Eagle is amazing. You are a multi-talented woman!
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Fran, your writing inspires on so many levels. The stories you tell and techniques you share, bonus points for us all. I wasn’t expecting a bald eagle. You created that breathtaking moment for us as you rounded the bend and that bird turned its head. Wow. Thank you for this.
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How marvelous that God speaks in just the way that we need. Even more so that you heard, and then passed it on to us.
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Oh, dear Fran, I’m so glad you were able to see it. Courage, dear heart.
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What a lovely sign just at the moment you needed it. I love the poem (shaped like a bird in flight? or is that my imagination?) What a magnificent bird. I especially love the lines.. ‘enduring winter, keeping watch high above the earth.’ They capture its regal bearing so well.
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“Courage, dear heart.”
Yes. these moments, these signs, that visit us in our lowest of times…they’re so very much to hang on to.
I smile as I look at your eagle drawing. My niece drew one very similar to that one when she was little, and she gave it to my dad as a gift. My mom held on to it for a while before deciding she didn’t want it anymore. She was going to throw it away and I told her she would do no such thing.
Cut to this past summer. My niece, my dad, and my mom have all passed on to the other side. I took that framed drawing and brought it to my sister-in-law, who was more than happy to once again have a piece of her daughter with her. My nephew also plans to get a tattoo of that image.
Thanks for bringing me this moment of remembrance, Fran.
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Throw the drawing away – ?!?! NOOO! How glad I am that you intervened! I know how much that drawing means to your sister-in-law and nephew now. What a treasure – both the story and the act. I am delighted my eagle’s head drawing reminded you, Lainie. I keep my eyes out for the eagles every day. I don’t know if or when I might see them again, but the thing is… I know they are near, and that in itself fills my heart with awe.
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