“When You’re A Wren” by russ mckay

Posted on February 20, 2023
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

As the shells were cracking

The space grew lacking

We wanted to spread our new wings

It was hard to rest

In that tight little nest

Me and my four new sib-lings

After weeks of just sitting

Mom was off flitting

We waited with some sense of dread

Our mouths were held open

We’re always hopin’

We’d be the first to be fed

The grubs kept a comin’

Our Mom sure was somethin’

She could find food with the best

But as we grew older

My siblings grew bolder

There was less food and no rest

The eating’s not easy

Worms make me queasy

But you must never be meek

So I do my best

To live in a nest

Where I am just the fifth beak

I ‘d like a menu more varied

But when she got married

Mom’s motherly instinct took hold

And while I am peeping

It’s bugs I’ll be eating

But this food routine’s gettin’ old

The day came for flyin’

My siblings were crying

But I was up for the dare

Mom took me to the ledge

I looked over the edge

And said” Man that’s a long way down there”

“Go ahead try

I know you can fly

We’re birds…that’s what we do”

“I’m not scared of flight

I’m afraid of the height…

I’ll just wait over here ’til they’re through”

“Trust me you’ll like it”…

“I think I’ll just hike it

I’m hoping on hopping through life”

“You’ve just got to fly

And I’ll show you why

Just watch as I soar with no strife”

Mom flew through the air

Without any care

She circled about in the sky

I watched her in awe

And though I just saw

I just couldn’t, and wouldn’t, dare try

“I can’t see the ground

I might go straight down!

And I bet if I crashed you would cry”

“Oh sure you can do it

Put wings and mind to it

And you’ll soon fly well as I”

“Just flap your wings

God gave you those things

So we birds could look down on the rest”

I flapped ’round a bit

But then I just quit

“I… think I’ll… look down from this nest!”

Then Dad came along

Just finished his song

And Mom whispered and pointed to me

“It’s time to go son

You’re the last one

And we’ve other places to be”

He nudged my behind

And though I declined

It was over the edge I did fling

I peeked at the ground

Getting closer I found

So I panicked and flapped both my wings

Well wonder of wonders

The air that rushed under

Was lifting and turning me round

I moved this and that

Flapped like a bat

And soared up above that hard ground

I could go over there

I could go anywhere

Mom’s right, I could fly like a bird

“Look what he’s done

Aren’t you proud of our son?”

But ’twas I who had final word!

“Wow!” I extolled

As I flew barrel rolls

And waved my wings to the rest

“That’s no place for me

I’ve got places to see”

I bid happy goodbye to the nest

Comments