“Before the Colibríes” by Jane Beal

Before the colibríes of Costa Rica,
before the shining rainbow wings
of shimmering angels danced
in midair before me—
there was darkness,
and I was sitting in it.

Darkness had become my only companion.

Then in the voice of a beautiful woman,
then in the sound of an African song,
as her words and the drumbeats
flowed together—
there was light,
and I was illuminated by it.

For you are light, and there is no darkness in you. 

Years ago, he gave the flowers
he gathered for me to another;
years ago, there was pain,
but in the Presence I heard an answer—
I will give you a flower
that will never fade.

Consider the lilies of the field.

I saw him! I saw the man!
I was holding a shining rose of light in my hand,
and I pressed it into his chest,
into his heart—
and my forgiveness
healed us forever.

Then my eyes were opened.

In the next moment, the birds,
like the flowers of heaven made visible,
kissed my face with their wings,
in the next moment—
my tears, reflecting their glory,
were transformed into pinpoints of light

full of joy.

Jane Beal
Sunflower Songs (2012)