Sparrows and ravens.

Everywhere. Sparrows and ravens. Which, if I recollect, are both birds associated with carrying souls to the realm of the dead, or something. So I kept joking that maybe that big earthquake is coming that everyone dreads.

Entirely unrelated: I dreamed of a baby made of Play-Do last night, with cheese-grater hair and was just the most adorable thing.

Attar was a Persian Sufi of the 12th century and his masterpiece is The Conference of the Birds, an epic allegory of the seeker’s journey to God. When all the birds of the world convene and determine that they lack a king, one bird steps forward and offers to lead them to a great and mighty monarch. Initially excited, each bird falters in turn, whereupon the leader admonishes them with well-targeted parables. These pithy tales are the delight of this 4,500-line poem, translated deftly into rhymed couplets. What is your excuse for not seeking God? Your life is fine already? You prefer material pleasure? You are holy enough? You have pride, lack courage, or are burdened with responsibility? Attar has an answer to encourage you on the path to the promised land. And when you get there, the king may not be what you’d expect, but you must make the journey to see.