In the freshness of dawn
A baby robin slipped
Over the soft twigs
Of its home nest
High up
at the gable end
Of an old castle ruin.
Down, down it fell,
Its silk like wings
striving to save
its tiny body
from thundering speed
into the hard earth’s womb.
Its fragile wings
mastered the breeze.
The happy offspring
of the bird family
Flew joyfully to
A safe perch
On the branch
of a great oak,
Which sheltered
the tiny frame
its first great trial.
Initial flight
on its very own.

Copyright Máiréad Tuohy Duffy (C)2004