“I’m really advertising to the public how easy it is to be good without an attitude;
It’s just as easy to show decency as it is to show hatred.”
The Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square
Music: Absent Friends
I was driving in the city
Just about a week ago
When I passed his corner
And I thought of this soul
His beloved pigeons were there
But the Pigeon Man, was gone
It has been nearly two years now
Since he was hit by a car one dawn
As I gazed upon his former roost
His image very quickly came to mind
These often despised birds, were his family
Each and every day, to them, he was very kind
He had lived in a tiny nearby city apartment
And twice each day, he had visited his friends
He brought them a little food, and a little kindness
And he would talk to them affectionately without end
He had formed a relationship with his beloved pigeons
During the 47 long years he had run a corner newsstand
When he gave up his business, he didn’t leave his friends
He was a very simple man, but his philosophy was grand
I remembered reading an article about him when he died
In his tiny apartment, he had many pictures of St. Francis
Francis’s prayer, ‘Make me an instrument of Thy peace’
He said had inspired him, and he had never forgotten this
As I sat in my car gazing at the Pigeon Man’s former roost
The pigeons gathered there, still seemed to be in mourning
This particular corner of the big city, will never be the same
But his many feathered friends, to his memory, will always sing
“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.”
St. Francis of Assisi
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It’s just as easy to show decency as it is to show hatred.”
Such wise words. Why can't all others understand this? And he a follower of St. Francis, my mentor, who also dwells in my heart, home, and "feeder" yard.
Thank you for this beautiful poetic recognition of The Pigeon Man, Ed. I will now forever think of him as the pigeons come daily to feed at my bird-seed troughs (along with wrens, doves, cardinals, jays, and more - and they all get along nicely :o)
Blessings and Love - Micke
Fee
~W~
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <
“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.”
Thank you for being all of the above, love Holly
Thanks for the reminding to try to be one.
Georg