I was born The Prodigal Son with tattoos plastered across my forehead. My first words spoke on

the day I was born again were, “I have recklessly forgotten your glory, O Father; I have

scattered the riches which you gave to me. Don’t hurt me. Love me. Laugh with me. Smile with

me. And so it was. So it still is. So you see? I said come and he saw. So you see …


There is no wonder why I cry so hard. There is no wonder why I laugh so loud. I am the wind

that churns. I am a young bird weeping. I am the center of the hawk’s red eye and … it is

hard to believe it’s been perfect from the start … yes, perfect from the start.


I grew up in the cracks of skyscrapers. I learnt to run before I could walk. I’ve seen the

world in flames. I’ve heard my Mother’s sobbing. I know your pain because I am an old man

dying. I am the newborn’s breath. I am a tree real tall and … I am here to tell you it is

more than endless sorrow. It’s for joy and laughter. It’s the look of love and …


I am a young bird singing. I am its Mother weeping. I am the sun and I’m laughing all the

way, every single day and … it’s hard to believe but it’s been perfect from the start … yes,

perfect from the start.

01/17/2015

Posted on 01/18/2015
Copyright © 2025 Scott Utley