Don’t Worry, Or How My Writing Mojo Returned

April 11, 2020 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

I was sitting on my balcony this morning, reminiscing, wondering and observing nature and I smiled when I saw three little birds sitting on the lane together.

Don’t worry, Bob Marley sang, about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be alright.

I thought how many people currently disagreed with that statement. Understandably.

But the birds were singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true.

I got the message.

The hoopoe bird hadn’t appeared this year though. Maybe he decided to stay away.

The hoopoe bird has always been my favorite, with his distinct call and his otherworldly appearance.

At the exact moment I decided it was OK if the hoopoe didn’t show up, I heard the soft screech.

Not his call, but the screech, and I thought I was imagining it.

To think of the hoopoe and missing him and him appearing at the same time. That would be too magical.

I peered in the tree where I see him first every year, and there he was.

Majestic as always.

I clapped my hands in excitement and shouted and sobbed all at the same time, as only a deranged person would do perhaps, but seeing beauty and hope and magic all melted together just like that, it was the right thing to do.

The hoopoe stayed where he was, unperturbed. Crest up.

Don’t worry
About a thing
cause every little thing
Is gonna be alright

And just like that, along with the hoopoe, my writing mojo had returned.

—

Barbara Bos is the managing editor and owner of Women Writers, Women’s Books. Barbara was born in Holland. After finishing University she left for the UK. Since then she has uprooted herself twice more, currently living with her family in a small village in Galicia, North-West Spain.