My Beautiful "Blue" Jay

Chained....
Eighteen years she cried for God to save her.
Conviction running rampant, pulsating in her blood the voice of conscience, always reasoning within.
Longing for wisdom, not liking how it's gained.
The heart of a young girl, now turned woman.
She gave him everything, until she was left with nothing.
Who she was didn't exist or even matter any longer.
The ring that bound her soul to his, this yoke that caught the strand and demanded a boundary of protection, had now become her enemy.
The clothes she wore wouldn't garner a second glance from even the humblest of eyes.
Did he care? No, he admired color.
Her hair to her waist in braids, she would work the field until her fingers caloused over, providing in her mind no chance that she would ever feel again.
She sought the "Good Book" for answers, searching for enough strength to survive another emotionless black and white day.
"Sew to the flesh, reap corruption of the flesh," the elders would bark!
But she couldn't help but to contradict their instructions in the imagination of her heart.
For without Spirit, her flesh couldnt live, and dead is dead regardless.
There were no kind words, no I love yous, or tender moments to help soften the blow.
However, she knew her place, and she stayed herself patiently.
Until one day....
"Set yourself free," a voice from afar.
And there he sat, a beautiful Blue Jay,  high above her head in the midst of a weeping willow, singing his song of redemption.
She answered him with a smile...I cannot sir!
For you see, I am betrothed, and my heart is not my own.
The bird flew higher....
"Set yourself free" the bird proclaimed even louder!
Once again she stood firm.
I cannot sir, " For who can find a virtuous woman?"
And my master knoweth my comings and my goings.
Woman! I tell thee, "Set yourself free"
Frustrated, fueled with desire to take heed to his words, but knowing the consequence of reaping she shall have if she does, she threw a stone and scatted him away, going against the longing in her heart.
Left in pieces, she bemoaned herself.
Loathing her person for even considering the beauty of the bird and the promise of life in his song, she begged God to forgive her.
As tears fell in shades of grey, the yoke that hung about her neck fell softly to the ground before her.
Just then a still small voice whispered gently, " My daughter, I only required mercy, not sacrifice"
As she looked up, there was no one there aside the Blue Jay, and she,  realizing in that moment that he had not been detoured by the throwing of her stones, was relieved, and decided to let go.
As color filled her skies, with brooding blues and crimson reds, she opened her heart and set herself free.