Random Act of Metaphor: The Rapture of a Blissful Mockingbird

Hmmm, when was the last time you did something simply for the pure joy of the act itself?

I was out for a short walk after lunch earlier this week. Up ahead I heard the unmistakable, repetitive call of a Mockingbird. Mockingbirds are talented mimics. They string together a variety of bird songs in a continuous melody.

I zeroed in on the call and located this Mockingbird perched on the top of a street light pole. He was running through his full repertoire with what could only be described as exuberance. I knew he wasn't singing to attract a mate since it is well past the mating season.

I'm convinced that this Mockingbird was serenading the neighbourhood for no other reason than the pure joy of singing. It was a beautiful summer day and it seemed he wanted the world to know he was blissfully happy.

In our madcap, hurly-burly world, our 'To Do' lists never seem to get done. We're continuously racing the clock to squeeze in all the need-to-do tasks. By the time we make it to the bottom of the list, the item at the top needs doing again.

Every now and then we need to push the pause button and indulge in something that feeds our soul. It doesn't really matter what act we chose. It need only be a purely selfish, otherwise purposeless activity that unleashes the dormant wellspring of joy within us.

The rapture of a blissful Mockingbird – a random act of metaphor to remind us that life is short and that joy comes not often enough unless we willfully extend an invitation.

~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of "Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel" – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael's website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog. Visit www.smashwords.com to download a free preview of the e-book version.

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