I Found a Nest

I found a nest fallen on the ground,

Carefully built, so smooth and round.

Through coarse exterior facing up,

Soft grasses lined the inner cup,

I thought the birds had taken wing,

The young ones fledged in early spring.

The parents anxious, standing by

On nearby twig and rooftop high.

They called, cajoled, encouraged flight,

And watched as day trailed into night.

Faithfully they had fed their brood

And life’s fragile circle thus renewed.

All flying knowledge did impart

‘Til young ones on their own could start,

And next year find a similar tree

In which to raise a family.

If I likewise abandoned home

And traveled off to parts unknown,

Would I have the energy

To rebuild my home so carefully,

To raise my young with all my might

And give all knowledge and insight

That I could ever hope to know,

Love and careful patience show?

My children then would take to wing,

Rise in the sky to soar and sing,

Return anew from time to time

With treasures dear and love sublime

To share collected pictures bright

Of autumn fields and joy in flight.