The verb "to have," along with the verb "to be," is one of the most
elemental and persistent of all words in a language. Being ancient yet
vital -- the proud dream of kings -- this verb has the power to transform
itself,
taking on many meanings, expressing strongly-held values and beliefs. It
is a puny, misleading word when forced into mundane statements of fact.

The deepest root of the word is its power to express the desire as well as
the action of making something part of oneself -- of possession in what can
be, in extreme form, an ecstatic, even a divine, sense.

Do we instinctively fear this potency, which is in all of us, because of
the puritanical belief system peculiar to our culture?

One of the multifarious branches of meaning accruing to the verb "to have"
is "to experience," "to enjoy." Another is "to know" or "to understand."
Having is not bound only to the material and the visceral.

Have the certitude that the swifts are back, have the thrill of seeing one,
have the desire to share this knowledge, and this emotion, with others who
have similar propensities.

Have care not to leap to judgment. Have an open mind, an open heart.
Otherwise you may be leaving something out.

Have fun, fellow tweeters. I believe it was Dionysos who first said that.
Probably a birder in his better moments.

Hal Opperman
halop at corbis.com