Read

"Rose-Breasted Grosbeak"

Published:
February 15, 2024
August 4, 2021
Read this poem about the rose-breasted grosbeak, how to turn pain into art, and how creativity can help suffering.|Read this poem about a rose-breasted grosbeak, how to turn pain into art, and how creativity can help suffering.

The Muse is a bird you lure
with the seed of attention.
You invite, you wait, you work.
She may show up, or not.
She doesn’t belong to you
or care if you catch
sight of Her. She may
even appear as a male—
black and white wings
flashing toward your feeder,
the bird perching there,
taking his time and finally
turning to reveal the shock
of scarlet bright as a gunshot
wound against the white chest.

Not all your wounds are visible.
Surely not the one beating
in your heart. The Muse calls
it to the surface, calls you
to wear it like a ruby pendant
searing your skin until pain turns
slowly into beauty as you write it.
Until the grosbeak vanishes
into the trees, warbling
for its mate, and you call
back with this poem.

Creators:
Judith Sornberger
Published:
February 15, 2024
August 4, 2021
On a related note...
"Bike Man" Has Kept His Community Moving for Decades

"Bike Man" Has Kept His Community Moving for Decades

Grotto

How I Find God in Everyday Life

How I Find God in Everyday Life

Gabriella Patti

Make Community Mean Something in this Pandemic

Make Community Mean Something in this Pandemic

Ben Wilson

Take Me Home: A Grotto Short Film

Take Me Home: A Grotto Short Film

Grotto

6 Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

6 Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Megan Ulrich

Finding Empathy for the Gang Who Shot Him

Finding Empathy for the Gang Who Shot Him

Grotto

Free Download: Summer Phone and Desktop Wallpapers

Free Download: Summer Phone and Desktop Wallpapers

Grotto

What I Learned From Being the First Interracial Couple in My Family

What I Learned From Being the First Interracial Couple in My Family

Clarissa Aljentera

4 Ways to Respond When Your Goals Feel Out of Reach

4 Ways to Respond When Your Goals Feel Out of Reach

Robert Christian

"The Attendants"

"The Attendants"

Barbara Lisette

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

The Playlist that Turned My Life Around

The Playlist that Turned My Life Around

Brandy Norton

St. Justin Martyr Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Justin Martyr Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

"Desperately seeking some guidance"

"Desperately seeking some guidance"

Stephanie Konrady

"Spring Practice"

"Spring Practice"

Judith Sornberger

Starting a Business: Your Checklist

Starting a Business: Your Checklist

Grotto

How This Quote Saved Me From My Post-Grad Slump

How This Quote Saved Me From My Post-Grad Slump

Theresa Sullivan

3 Ways to Help Foster Kids — Without Becoming a Parent

3 Ways to Help Foster Kids — Without Becoming a Parent

Grace Wirth

Nervous to Take a Leap of Faith? Here are 3 Things to Know

Nervous to Take a Leap of Faith? Here are 3 Things to Know

Patrick Schmadeke

I Am Not a Failure for Gaining Weight During this Pandemic

I Am Not a Failure for Gaining Weight During this Pandemic

Stephanie DePrez

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.