The Mockingbird

Dan and I take George, our five year old St. Bernewfie, for a walk in the neighborhood pretty much every morning.  These past few mornings have been gorgeous; clear blue sky, soft warm breeze and that awesome late spring-early summer scent in the air.

As we navigate the neighborhood we're greeted with the sounds of the mockingbird that hangs out on the tippity top of a giant maple tree. He's kind of a show-off. We get such a kick out of his 'concerts'.

He warms up with a series of car alarm sounds and then he releases the full score of his repertoire to include a police car siren, a fire truck, the sound of a failed car ignition and wraps up with a round of wolf whistles - he's a city bird for sure. 

This guy's got talent!

I've never paid attention to the birds in my neighborhood until the lockdown, and I've been living in the same neighborhood for over 25 years! 

Since the world stopped, my eyes, ears, heart and head are seeing everything through a different lens.

The mockingbird intrigues me. He got me thinking about the famous novel by Harper Lee, 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. In the story, the mockingbird is a metaphor for innocence. And, I guess I see that, the bird is just doing his thing, making 'mock-sounds' of other sounds. Seems pretty harmless and innocent on the surface.

The definition of mock as an adjective is: 'not authentic or real, but without the intention to deceive.' The mockingbird imitates what he has heard and then showcases it as his own for entertainment. 

However, even though the intention of the bird may not be to deceive, one could be deceived by the birds accurate impersonation of a wolf-whistle or a car alarm.  

Sometimes the intention to not deceive isn't enough. Although it's entertaining to hear all those sounds come out of that little bird's beak, I wonder what his authentic sound is, what is his true voice and why doesn't he share that with the world?

Is it because he is insecure? Is he afraid to let his own voice soar? He hears the sounds of the car alarm and the wolf whistle fairly often, maybe he thinks that's what everyone wants to hear. 

I still enjoy listening to him in the morning and more often than not, I'm interested to see if I will hear something new, something different, something authentic. 

I have had my mockingbird moments. Repeating what I hear until one day I begin to think that what I have been listening to and repeating is now somehow truth.

It may feel safe to sing from the same sheet of music as everyone else and fit in.

It may feel scary to let your true authentic voice be heard.

But think about this, if the mockingbird is a metaphor for innocence, singing his songs from the highest tree top, deceiving the listener, even though that's not his intention; if deception happens, than does the intention even matter?

Is he truly innocent?

What is intention without authenticity? 

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Thanks for sharing your time with me reading this post! Chat soon!

Stay safe

Take care and care well, 

Mary 

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