Birdseye View by Valerie Bennett

Seabirds flying in a whirl,
the gulls scream screeching cries,
searching in the abyss of misty grey skies.

“Why? Where shall we feed and birth our young?
Our nesting beds are quilted with poison black scum.”

Our tears drop as we gaze down
on the raging, heaving waves
carrying the black mass onto our shores—
and much has sunk to the depths, we’re sure.

The Creator above, Who sees all things, says:
“Come, huddle into My strong arms and wings.

All time is in My hands. I can hold you,
clean and heal you,
keep you from all harm.

Rest in the shelter of My wings,
where anxious, fast-beating hearts can sigh relief,
where you will be warm and safe,
not harassed by this tide of grief.

Sleep, eat, and rest. Restore your strength—
for your journey’s not over until My purposes are met.

There is a distant, beautiful land
where you will live again.

You will mount up and fly away to your true home,
free from cruelty and pain—

a land fair and far off, away from the greed of man.