“Like the bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.”

This is the first line from the Leonard Cohen penned tune, ‘Bird On The Wire.’

During another midday walk, today, I noticed two small birds sitting beside each other on a wire. I’m sure you’ve seen countless birds sitting on wires, throughout this great land of ours, on numerous occasions. But have you ever paused to consider why birds do this? Are they just enjoying the day? Are they resting? Are they weighing their next options?

Well here we are. I found a blog which explains this aviary behavior. The author is jlshernandez.

“Power lines are common and convenient rest stops for birds in cities and towns where there are very few trees. High-tension wires make great lookout perches for passerine birds or the common perching birds, like sparrows, starlings, crows, grackles, to name a few. The feet of perching birds or songbirds are adapted to grabbing onto branches and power lines. Not all birds have this special adaptation.

Birds are social animals and like to interact with each other as they roost on power lines. Being up high gives the birds a good vantage point to see the surroundings and be on the lookout for predators and food sources.

Birds can be seen at dusk or sunrise perched on overhead power lines. Every time a bird lands on the wire, the entire row of birds on the same wire would move over for the newcomer. Birds are instinctively such considerate and accommodating little creatures.”

“… considerate and accommodating little creatures.”

And they, “…like to interact with each other as they roost on power lines.”

I find all of this very interesting and sweet.

You can imagine how the conversation, between birds, might be going…

Bird one: ” Well hello Sally Sparrow! How’s that sore wing coming along?”

Bird two: “Very well and thanks for asking mate! What brings you here today?”

Bird one: “Oh, just resting for a flight to Florida and watching humans.”

Bird two: “Crazy bunch, huh?”

Bird one: “Very much so! They race about, here and there, in such a big hurry. They curse and crash into one another, all the while thinking what they’re up to is so damn important. Sad lot really.”

Bird one: “Yes they are that. And they are very busy, busy destroying this beautiful space our creator has, so lovingly, provided for us.”

Bird two: “And another truly sad thing is that they are free like us, yet they allow themselves to be enslaved to time, things and the pursuit of money.”

Bird one: “And they worry, worry, worry. Get worked into a doggone frenzy about nothing, really.”

Bird two: “Tell me about it! Makes you wonder if they’ve ever read Matthew 6:26-27.”

Bird one: “Oh they read it! I see them in their homes and churches reading the cover off of their Bibles and banging each other over the head with it.”

Bird two: “Yeah, they love to preach and pose and preen, but practice it? Believe it? Not so much.”

Bird one: “Strange lot, no?

Bird two: “Strange indeed!”

Bird one: “You free to grab a worm?”

Bird two: “Yes, I’m free, free indeed!”

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I’m Free (The Who)

“I’m free-I’m free,
And freedom tastes of reality,
I’m free-I’m free, An’ I’m waiting for you to follow me.

If I told you what it takes
To reach the highest high,
You’d laugh and say ‘nothing’s that simple
But you’ve been told many times before
Messiahs pointed to the door
And no one had the guts to leave the temple!

I’m free-I’m free,
And freedom tastes of reality,
I’m free-I’m free,
An’ I’m waiting for you to follow me.”

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“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Matthew 6:26-27 NLT