Flight

One day a baby bird

Was sitting in a tree

As day turned in to night

He waited anxiously

He knew the day would come

When he had to leave the nest

To soar up in the sky

And fly, just like the rest

He wondered if he could

But the other birds were sure

His worry overwhelmed him

'Til he sunk to fear's allure

I will not leave, he thought

For he liked this little nest

It was safe and sound

It suited him the best

Time passed rather quickly

And the day for flight appeared

The baby birds were strong

So they left, as he so feared

He watched them from his perch

As one by one they flew

Wings spread to the sky

Contrasting heaven's hue

His heart was filled with longing

But he feared that he would fall

So he buried it inside

Ignoring nature's call

His days were spent in solitude

Gazing at the sky

Though other birds would beckon

Still, he would not fly

Desire built within

Filling wing to feather

As movement stirred inside

Like changes in the weather

He was born to fly

This, alas, he knew

He would fall down if he must

Until he finally flew

If he did not take a step

He could never learn to fly

He would end his life alone

And always wonder why

Although the grip of fear

Can freeze us where we are

A simple leap of faith

Can lead us very far

Why settle for the nest

When we were born to fly?

If we trust, our wings can soar

But first, we have to try

-C. O'Connell-