The conditions of a solitary bird

The conditions of a solitary bird are five

First, that it flies to the highest point

Second, that it does not seek after company, not even of its own kind

Third, that it aims it beak to the wind

Fourth, that it has no definite colour

Fifth, that it sings very softly

St John Of the Cross

St John of the cross of the camelite order lived in the 1500's in Spain. This is from  one of his later works "sayings of love and light". He was presucuted by the Church along with Theresa of Avila for trying to reform it. He spent a lot of time in Solitude as a result of imprisonment.