The free glider, the eagle
swooshing down swiftly,
soaring like a jet
pretending now to be a branch,
now dead leaves, then a kite.
While its wings lift with the wind,
the eagle coasts and flow above the injured sparrow;
its eyes glitter with the savage thought of attack.
Then suddenly it turns away from its prey,
as serenely as a brook.
It floats smoothly across the tree tops,
a sense of freedom on its wings,
the eagle flies high while it searches for prey
more competitive.
I wrote this poem in high school although I couldn't tell you the specific age; at least thirty three years ago. I also couldn’t identify the challenge presented to me or the significance of these words, yet I can speculate.
However, these words came to mind this morning upon receiving an e-mail from a cherished college friend whose life has taken on noteworthy challenges. She is unemployed and like millions of Americans her benefits have shriveled and died. She is in a controlling emotionally abusive relationship as well as in school for acceptance into a program to unlock future job choices. Ultimately difficult challenges await her.
Which brings me to the question I present to you; how you do confront adversity? Do you pay little to no attention to the seemingly insignificant obstacles like that of the eagle and the inauspicious sparrow?
Are the challenges you face on a physical plane or more of a psychological/emotional level? When the situation is critical are you more apt to wait for boredom to strike and explore competition?
…just curious~
(this photo was taken off an aol website...)
