Early Bird March 31: My Favourite Bird

I teach children's choir and youth choir, and I've run into all sorts of students over the years. When the topic for the Early Birders (hi, I'm on the early bird side of the sphere!) came up as My Favourite Bird, I immediately thought of this one student of mine whom I've taught for about 8 years now. Watching her progress and face down her inner demons has been one of the biggest rewards of my teaching career. I am so thoroughly proud of her.

MY FAVOURITE BIRD

Averted eyes. Face to the ground, afraid to look up.

Hunched over, shoulders rounded like a shield

Curling herself deep within herself week after week:

A terrified sparrow hiding in the comfort of the only nest she knew.

She cried in class even though only me and her mother were present.

And yet she persisted –

Week after week, children’s choir, individual lessons

Mute, a closed-off room with doors one could not open

From the outside.

Through it all though, she loved music.

After graduating from children's choir - 

I WANT TO GO TO YOUTH CHOIR, she insisted

And she did.

Six years of awkward silences, stuttering soft sentences

A gawky nestling with patchy feathers and clumsy wings

Shy, swallowing her voice, learning songs 

But locking them up as tight as her thoughts.

Then -
On choir production opening night - she marched out

(Lowered eyes, blank expression yes, but she marched out)

Stood on the stage with her fellow singers

And faced down the world.

Now – two years later

She stands tall before the camera, head held high

Preparing to shoot a concert trailer.

She laughs, she jokes, she teases

She banters with the tenor who’s filming with her

She spreads full-fledged wings and rises into the air

Her open mouth overflowing with song, with words.

She turns – looks straight into my eyes, fearless as an eagle

And she smiles.

My heart soars like a lark and sings, rejoices, sings.