(PD-US-expired)
The Freedom to Return Home
A baby bird in a cage, like an infant in a crib.
Tweets, hops, and flutters, but cannot fly away.
Sits on a perch, swings, back and forth.
Days turn to weeks, weeks flow into months.
Months become years, contemplating direction.
Quick. Smart. Wise.
The cage door opens and opportunity knocks,
Whispering softly, “Come out, come out.”
Independence calls, leaping out in joy,
“Go, find your destiny, not by happenstance.”
Genetics. Nature. Nurture. Self.
There is a hesitation.
Contemplating what lies ahead.
The cage door opens and out flies an eagle.
Tall. Slender. Piercing eyes. Determined.
Solo flight amid internal turmoil.
Triumphantly soaring above the trees.
Heart. Stops. Instantly. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Circumstances warrant rebirth.
Chirping. Singing. Flapping. Swinging. Transforming. Courage.
Homecoming.
I and Thou Reflections 