BlackCappedVireo_ProtectingLife_Blackburn_Jim_HoustonTX_10October2023_Reel4174.mp3

Jim Blackburn [00:00:00] I had a former client, an artist named Pat Johnson from Fayetteville, and I've got a picture that she made of three black-capped vireos, kind of playing marbles with acorns. And it's a picture that makes me smile every time I look at it.

Jim Blackburn [00:00:21] And, you know, but this idea that species can have fun, that species have needs, just kind of putting your head into the head of an animal, of a bird, of a reptile, and just trying to kind of trade places a little bit and, in a way, playing reincarnation, if you will. Can you put yourself in that other living thing's place?

Jim Blackburn [00:00:49] I mean, I think this word, "being", is a very interesting word. To me, all of these creatures are beings, whereas a lot of people think the only beings are really humans. I think once our value set incorporates all of living things, even trees, as beings, it would be a very different world, or it certainly could be.

Jim Blackburn [00:01:18] These are things that intrigue me. I don't see this becoming law anytime soon. Nor do I think it should. But I think it's a part of philosophy. I think it's a part of ethics. And I think it's a part of kind of learning to, again, be an Earth citizen.

Jim Blackburn [00:01:38] I don't think we talk enough about that.

Jim Blackburn [00:01:41] So how about the black capped vireo?

Jim Blackburn [00:01:45] The Black-capped Vireo.

Jim Blackburn [00:01:47] Walking near Lone Man Creek

Speaker [00:01:49] In the Texas Hill country in late spring.

Speaker [00:01:52] The rains came to the Hill Country last week -

Speaker [00:01:55] Soaking, penetrating rains, bringing water

Speaker [00:01:58] That found seams within the limestone shelves -

Speaker [00:02:01] Seams that slowly leak life-giving water

Speaker [00:02:04] That is open and available to the small vireo

Speaker [00:02:06] With the black cap that fits down

Speaker [00:02:10] To the natural cup and drinks

Speaker [00:02:11] The life-giving elixir,

Speaker [00:02:13] A vireo that has a special status,

Speaker [00:02:15] A vireo that is labeled by our actions,

Speaker [00:02:18] A very old that is ENDANGERED.

Speaker [00:02:21] I visualize this lovely living thing sipping

Speaker [00:02:23] And see the essence of life,

Speaker [00:02:26] The essence of existence

Speaker [00:02:27] On this beautiful place we call Earth,

Speaker [00:02:29] A place inhabited by a magical spirit -

Speaker [00:02:32] A force called life -

Speaker [00:02:34] Something that exists nowhere else but here. \\

Speaker [00:02:36] On Earth that is my church -

Speaker [00:02:38] Life that is fragile -

Speaker [00:02:39] Life that is a flame needing tending,

Speaker [00:02:42] And I get it - loud and clear.

Speaker [00:02:44] Today I am calling all, calling you

Speaker [00:02:47] To be a keeper of the flame of life,

Speaker [00:02:48] Protector of things endangered,

Speaker [00:02:51] Protector of those that are under attack,

Speaker [00:02:54] Protector of those unable to protect themselves

Speaker [00:02:56] Protector of the DNA that holds the key to life.

Speaker [00:03:01] And to protect this endangered vireo,

Speaker [00:03:03] We must provide food, water and shelter -

Speaker [00:03:06] Save the springs and seeps,

Speaker [00:03:07] Protect the oak cedar scrub

Speaker [00:03:09] And give life a chance -

Speaker [00:03:11] So simple and yet so hard.

Speaker [00:03:14] And at night the black capped one lands

Speaker [00:03:17] Within my dreams and wraps me in his wings.

Speaker [00:03:19] And says thank you.