[346]. A Message From A Poem - Willy Willy Wagtail, You Sweet Bird

[346]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WILLY WILLY WAGTAIL, YOU SWEET BIRD

This may seem an unusual poem. It is about an Australian bird that belongs to the Wagtail or Fantail family. The identification for this bird is “Rhipidura leucophrys” and you may hear its call on this site - https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/willie-wagtail/#

This bird flits around a lot looking for insects for that is what it eats. They are reasonably friendly with humans and can come within a few metres. There was one in my yard that used to hang around my feet when I was mowing and would dash up to grab moths and tiny grasshoppers and other insects.

It suddenly disappeared and my guess is that it was devoured by a nasty bird called the butcher bird, or by a cat belonging to irresponsible people who don’t control their animals. Occasionally I used to come across a small pile of feathers on the grass. That was sad.

The willy willy wagtail is a brave bird. It is not too much bigger than a sparrow apart from the tail, and I saw one, and more, take on the raucous sulphur crested cockatoo and chase it away and it kept chasing the cockatoo for a long while. I was reminded of the story of David and Goliath – {{1 Samuel 17:41-44 Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance, and the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” and the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”}}

The wagtail is never still. It flits around with the tail constantly swaying from left to right. I think all Christians should be like that (minus the tail) and active always in God’s business. Its colouring is interesting too. It is distinctive black and white. There is a lesson there as well. We should be black and white in life.

There are two ways only. Right and wrong, no merging. In so many things God has only the two sides. Righteous and unrighteous; male and female; light and dark; pure and impure and so many more. {{James 5:12 “Above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but LET YOUR YES BE YES, AND YOUR NO, NO so that you may not fall under judgment.”}}

The purpose of this poem is to make the contrast of the bird’s joyous singing and conduct with the moping Christian who does not sing because of troubles or being out of touch with the Lord. I advocate we consider this bird and raise our praise above hardship and trials and afflictions the world gives us. I believe God’s word helps us in that.

I hope you like the poem.

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WILLY WILLY WAGTAIL, YOU SWEET BIRD

I am listening to a willy willy wagtail.

It’s sitting on the clothesline cord singing a sweet scale.

It is a beautiful bird, black and white on display;

Friendly too as it will come right up to the doorway.

Its melodious tune synchronises perfectly;

It sings as it sways its tail, left to right expertly. (back and forth)

Such a happy bird hopping around from place to place -

A joy to watch; a joy to hear, a bird with such grace.

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I watched this bird this morning and a thought came to me:

This simple bird of God’s creation we love to see,

Is always joyful, content in its way of living,

But what about me? What are the vibes that I’m giving?

I am not like that wagtail that infuses delight.

O, yes, I may be gracious, may smile and be polite,

But do I have the outgoing joy of that dear bird?

Do I pretend joy and praise, but betrayed by my word.

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Why are Christians so downcast, and often wet blankets,

And unrelated to joy as despondent hermits.

We should be full of joy and praise, as God is our hope.

With our sins forgiven, there is no reason to mope.

Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him for His power.

Give thanks to the Lord; give thanks you people ev’ry hour.

We should sing with sincerity, not with seen sadness.

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ with your hearts full of gladness.

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Return your thoughts to that joyous bird in your praises –

In spite of tribulation, its sweet song it raises.

It is not anxious for the cares of the world around,

Nor anxious for the morrow when trouble may abound.

It maintains its singing, and its praise with a glad heart.

So must we to God, from this corrupted world apart.

Willy willy wagtail, you are such a blessing now.

Please bird, may you to me, such a sense of joy endow.

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R E Ferguson 22 January 2022 Metre = 13 throughout AABB etc