Nightbird

An Original Poem and Song that alludes to deeper realms and hidden possibilities

Note: This post features a spoken word poem, available to all readers, and an original song available to paid subscribers only.

Back in the early-to-mid 2000’s, when I was a linguist in the Air Force, I used to work the “swing” shift. I’d go in to work at about 2:30 pm and get off around 11 at night. Being young and single, I used to love this because it worked perfectly with my natural Night Owl tendencies.

Often, I would open the window looking out into the courtyard from my little cozy efficiency apartment down in San Antonio, Texas. I’d sit at my computer and make beats, and write poetry.

One night, as I sat there, a bird began singing a sort of melancholy, alone-feeling song. I was so entranced by it that I wrote a poem about it called “NightBird”. A few years later, I rewrote and extended the poem, and came up with the following piece.

It’s all about how that bird’s lonely song echoed and resonated with something within me, and hinted at hidden longings and abilities I might have.

NightBird (a slight return)

3 Nov 07

Lying all alone in the dark
Haunted heart someone whispering
Quietly insisting that I climb
Dark Son waiting for the right
moment to shine 
doing battle with the demons 
in the back of my mind

I want to know the secrets and 
See all the of the sights
Thus do I explore in the still of the night

Darkness surrounds me 
My heartbeat is pounding
My spirit leaves my body 
On the bed sleeping soundly

Bursting through the clouds
Traveling at Night Speed 
Silver moon illuminates 
The shoes on my Night Steed

Searching for kindred soul
Someone just like me 
I need to find a home
Lonely and alone
Watch my prayers rise 
On the wings of this poem

A night bird is calling 
I think the sky is falling
could be I’m rising 
Wings extended I
Be a night bird flying
Cutting through the 
Night sky winging
singing

screaming so loud that I got your 
ears drums ringing
soul crying sounding 
Like a night bird singing

soul crying sounding 
Like a night bird singing

A night bird winging
Escaping from this earthly Shell

This earthly hell
when I rebel
I sing my poems at
mad decibles

telling my folks 
to grab they stuff 
and head for the hills

don't worry 'bout Babylon 
we can always rebuild

they burnt my temple down
but they can't destroy my will!