Ideas and thoughts are strange things. Normally, I don’t give their presence in my mind a second thought, but there are times when I wonder what business they have hanging out there.

Without bragging, I would say that my thoughts sometimes are winged and behave like birds. There are, for example, moments when a thought flies into my mind as fast as a Peregrine falcon. I immediately start looking for pen and paper, but when I finally find them, all visible traces of that bird are always gone.

Just like owls, looking clever while sitting half asleep on a branch, I often try to look as though I am participating in a conversation. Meanwhile, my mind is secretly processing stuff that happened half a century ago.

Ravens are famous for their smartness. Their impressive thought processes allow them to use tools. Likewise, only last month, I successfully used a ladle to get a spoon out from underneath a stove. I wish I could have such raven-like moments more often, but those birds are clever and mostly stay out of my reach.

Just like there are birds that don’t fly, I have thoughts that definitely stay on the ground. When I share an interesting idea and people look at me, frown and say, “Seriously?” I know how it feels for an ostrich, running around with useless wings.

When I get nervous or panic, my thoughts appear in murmurations, like starlings do. They sweep back and forth in my mind in groups of thousands. What I call my “starling moments,” is what bird experts call “controlled chaos.”

Some thoughts stay permanently in my mind. Just like crows have their favorite trees, these thoughts have picked my mind for nesting. They take up a lot of space and are extremely messy and noisy.

The thought of drones comes to my mind. I wish I had a mental remote control with which I could control my thoughts’ movements by changing the position of their wings. I would make some thoughts come close and others fly far away.

But, of course, that’s just a thought…

    0 0 votes
    Post Rating
    28 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Emily O'Leary
    Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
    2 years ago

    I really like this Christer! It’s informative, and clever in how relateable it is! Flowing very nicely from thought to thought. Very much enjoyed it, well done!

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    2 years ago

    How clever to compare thoughts, ideas and memories to birds! I love the cause and effect deriving from that. Well done Christer!

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    2 years ago

    A great interpretation of the wings theme, Christer! As I read, I looked forward to each different bird with each new paragraph. Your story is as strong as an eagle and as beautiful as a peacock! Well done 🙂

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    How are you, Christer? Hope all is well in your part of the world now! This is a fun read, as much as it is serious. Everyone will be able to relate to the clever way you have used birds to write the story line on ”Wings”. No doubt we will all be thinking what type of bird am I? I will depart Swift-ly now, Ha, ha ?.

    Last edited 2 years ago by Eric Radcliffe
    David Drew
    David Drew(@david-drew)
    2 years ago

    A result original angle on the theme Christer. And a great read too!

    Lydia E Atzemian
    Lydia E Atzemian(@lydia-e-atzemian)
    2 years ago

    This is a super unique concept. I loved the way you went about it!

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    I love the comparison between your thoughts and different bird species. The meandering mind. Unfortunately, mine frequently meanders into a lengthy period of procrastination, flitting here there and everywhere. I’m not sure I am a bird; more like a moth, or maybe a bat 🙂

    Melissa Taggart
    Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
    2 years ago

    This is so clever. I think have realized something about myself through this story, Christer. I am the owl, I always try to look like I am participating in a conversation. And at any given time I find myself processing stuff that happened years ago… I wear the forever “thinking face” so my friends lovingly point out. I love that you used a different bird for each paragraph! I like the line… Read more »

    Melissa Taggart
    Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    It’s funny you’d mention Aspergers. Both my daughter and my sister have this. Writing definitely helps to unload my mind sometimes!
    You’re a very talented writer, Christer, thank you for the advice. I’m sure we all have a set of wings we all just need to believe in ourselves a little bit more. ?

    Melissa Taggart
    Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    I didn’t mind at all, I found it to be quite brilliant actually because you hit the nail on the head! We all need a laugh these days, and I greatly appreciated it.

    Keep being a fantastic human, Christer. I look forward to more of your stories.

    Thompson Emate
    Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
    2 years ago

    This story is a nice read. I indeed love the comparison of human thoughts with different birds species. Well done, Christer.

    Danielle Burke
    Danielle Burke(@danielle-burke)
    2 years ago

    I love these thoughts about thoughts! Such an accurate depiction of a writer’s mind. I can especially relate to the part about not having wings—when that story idea just can’t quite make it off the ground no matter how hard I try.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Christer, this is a great story. I love the comparison between birds and our thoughts. I read your comment to Danielle and couldn’t help thinking that some stories needs more than a gentle nudging, more like an eagle pushing its babies out of the nest! Your story had me wondering which ‘thought-process’ I mostly can relate to and I think it must be a combination between the Peregrine falcon and the owl… Read more »

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Here you are again, Christer. Another piece of beautiful story, from thought to thought, very clever and original. A wonderful read. Well-written.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    You’re welcome, Christer. You did a good job as always.

    Recent Comments

    28
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!