for Ethan, Lauren, Maia, Caleb, Sean, Dylan, and Genevieve

This past spring, we had a nest of finches beneath the eaves over our front porch. There was a single day when the baby birds looked almost exactly like this. The next day the nest was empty. Image credit: yannajenn (Flickr)

The ground’s so far, my brave wee birds.
Rock won’t give like down or flesh.
There’s time enough to leap and soar,
Today, stay here and grow and rest.

With dawn you’ll perch and lift your wings.
Stretch muscle, feather, meet the wind.
And swell the song you’re born to sing
And dart and dazzle, earth unpinned.

But dirt’s so hard, my sweet, young birds.
Storm clouds soak the proudest crest.
There’s time enough to leap and soar,
Today, stay here and grow and rest.

Tomorrow, not today, sweet birds.
Tomorrow you can flit so free.
But here and now, enjoy the warmth–
Let your heart beat next to me.

The world is dazzling, fresh and wide,
But also hungry, fierce, and wet.
I know you need to leave, to fly,
But I could teach you so much, yet.

The dew and dapple beckon, yes–
But snow’s no friend, and night’s too long.
And solo ends can cruelly jest,
So I’ll enfold you with my song.

While I have you in the nest,
I’ll love you, swear to soon set free.
Oh, here and now, enjoy the warmth–
Let your heart beat next to me.