As I walked to class the other day, I felt strange. You know when you first wake up in the morning, and you just feel weird? When you’re not sure if you’re really awake or not? Yeah, that’s how I felt. I wasn’t sure if the world was real or not.
Right then, a bird chirped. It interrupted my egoistic, metaphysical musing. My mind moved from inside my head, and I was shocked into the outside world. I saw the bird, sitting a couple feet away, and acknowledged, “Yes, you are real.” It was real; I was real; the world was real. Thank you, bird.
The rest of the walk to class was bizarre. I did my best to listen to the birds singing. I had finally noticed that they were all around, singing. However, I also saw people. I looked at each one of them and noticed that not one of them seemed alive. My eyes darted from person to person, and I felt the deadness within them. The birds were singing, and it seemed as if I was the only person listening. I don’t think I even saw a smile on anyone’s face.
Later, I walked to my second class. I heard loud music booming near Levering Hall. It was that sickening ad campaign for some Nissan car. I almost stormed over there. I wanted to knock over the tables and shout, “Turn off this music! The birds are singing! Stop this consumeristic nonsense!” I wanted to be like Jesus in the temple. Instead, I just continued on my way to class.
I wonder if I was right to shake off my wild impulse.
The birds are singing. Have you ever heard them?
Funny you mention that… I recently wrote this, wonder if you read it: http://l.editthispage.com/2009/03/29
I did read it, but it didn’t stick out at the time. It must’ve stumbled around in my subconscious until that bird chirped at me. Either that, or the birds are talking to each other.
In any case, I’ve read it again and now I actually understand it. That’s exactly what the bird said to me, “I am here.” I was in my own little world, and it was like, “Hey!”
Sometimes one forgets how beautiful it is to just be alive.