The Wren

A reminder that life carries on, even in the shadow of pain.

A curious wren flits about,  
in the tangled thicket of dawn; 
its feathers ruffled by the gentle breeze,  
a tiny spirit unanchored 
by the weight of the world.  
It hops from branch to branch,  
a blur of brown and joy,  
singing a melody known only to the morning.

Unaware of the shadows that 
stretch across the earth,  
where a woman cradles her diagnosis,  
the word heavy on her tongue,  
a thief, stealing away her tomorrows,  
her laughter drowned in the 
silence of sterile rooms,  
the cold hum of machines.

Another woman wanders through a fog,  
her memories slipping,
like water through fingers,  
familiar faces fading into whispers,  
the echoes of a life once vibrant,  
now dulled by time’s relentless march,  
each forgotten moment, a ghost,  
haunting her laughter, her tears.

And there is a third,  
whose heart breaks in slow motion,  
each sigh a silent scream,  
as she bears the weight of grief.

She watches the wren,  
and for a moment,  
her burdens feel lighter,  
the rhythm of its wings lifting her spirit,  
as if that small bird carries her sorrows away,  
on the gentle currents of the morning.

The wren knows nothing of burdens;
it dances through the underbrush,  
pecking at the earth,  
chirping in delight at the simplest of treasures—
a seed, a small white moth—
unfazed by the weight of human hearts,  
its joy a light that pierces the veil of despair.

In this small, forgotten corner of existence,  
the wren becomes a vessel of comfort— 
while around it, the world weeps;
it becomes a reminder that life carries on—
that even in the shadow of pain,  
life persists,
and beauty can be found,  
in the flutter of wings,  
soft rustle of leaves,  
and songs sung to the rising sun. 

Author’s Note

• Immigrant Dreams, an award-winning collection of 33 poems celebrating the resilience and hope of those who dare to dream beyond borders, is now available in digital, paperback, and hardcover formats at:

  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple | Tolino | Vivlio | Smashwords | Fable | Palace Marketplace | Everand | Tertulia | IngramSpark | Google Play

  • Details and information on signed and free copies are available here.

• My award-winning book of poetry and prose, The Edges, is available in digital and paperback formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, IngramSpark, and Kobo.

Upcoming…

• Flash fiction and a poem about pursuing your dreams:

  It’s Your Life, 29 March 2025

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