An Omen

Wild at heart I flew towards the sun until it incinerated my wings

As I’d fallen to earth all those years ago he rescued me and nurtured me back to health

He was kind, honorable and protected me from the frightening outside world

My flight feathers were damaged so he built me a beautiful gilded cage to keep me safe

Over time I grew stronger and forgot how much I loved to glide with the wind

The view from my perch was lovely but there was a profound emptiness in my heart

I was afraid to tell him I desired my freedom from the sanctuary he had built me

I couldn’t articulate what I was missing, and then an exquisite hawk flew by

I wanted what the hawk had; he was beautiful and so full of life

All I had lost rushed back to me in that instant, I needed my freedom

If I could just fly once maybe I‘d find the peace I was searching for

I promised myself I would return to the cage before anyone missed me

When he wasn’t looking I planned my escape from my lovely prison

At first I was afraid to leave, I hovered at the door just staring at the brilliant sky

The breeze tickled my feathers and I out stretched my wings just a little

Then I spied the hawk and longed to join him with every ounce of my being

Spreading my wings I took a leap of faith…I soared upwards on a strong thermal

All I had missed rushed back to me in an instant, I felt more alive than I had in years

I flew in unison with the hawk, mesmerized by his power, for an instant I fell in love

This is what I wanted; this is what I needed to survive

Wild and uncomplicated, I knew this was how life should be lived

Dismissing my inhibitions I was slowly led astray by simple seduction

Before I knew it I was far from home and completely lost with no protector

At that moment the hawk showed his true identity and became a bird of prey

An innocent sparrow I was ill-equipped to fight him off

In a blink of an eye I was held fast by his murderous talons

He carried me towards his nest in an ancient oak; I knew it was the end

Methodically he plucked my delicate feathers until I was bloodied and naked

I must admit that those glorious hours soaring with the hawk were worth my agony

I had dared to dream and now I was paying the ultimate consequence for my stupidity

I got what I wanted…I’d never be caged again