Little Bird

Little Bird soared through the air,

singing its song merrily as it weaved between the clouds,

happily, lost in a sky full of stars.

The moon illuminated its path as it journeyed back to its cosy nest,

dreaming of blankets of soft leaves and perfectly woven twigs

that sheltered it from the shadows of the night.

Little Bird’s mind wandered to the mystery of tomorrow,

imagining the joy the sun might bring with it as

it rose above the horizon at dawn.

What an unforgettable moment it is to watch the

fiery sun fall over the tops of the trees as the sky’s colours

transitioned from deep purples to fiery reds

to soft pinks to wonderous shades of blue.

Little Bird chirped as it dove downwards,

wings fluttering excitedly as it caught sight of its nest;

it was so close,

yet unfortunately not close enough.

Little Bird found itself caught in a bluster of wind,

knocking it off its path.

It tumbled through the sky.

A shriek came from above,

along with the sound of long,

ferocious wings cutting through the air.

Little Bird looked up to see the silhouette

of a wicked Monster stamped across the moon,

red glowing eyes and razor-sharp talons.

Fear struck through Little Bird’s small heart,

as it sped to safety—only, it never made it,

as sharp claws dug into its back, gripped it hard,

and then flung it across the sky.

Little Bird span in circles as its body plummeted.

It screamed at the Moon for help,

but all he offered was a spotlight casted upon the Monster;

it cried for the stars to pull it back up into the sky,

but they simply watched it fall through the tops of the trees,

bouncing off branches,

getting caught between leaves;

and then,

inevitably,

crashing into mud.

Little Bird heard the screeching of the Monster,

as it circled above,

wings brushing against the clusters of leaves.

Nature hid from its presence,

leaving Little Bird on its own with nowhere to hide,

out in the open where the dangers of the night

could easily sink their teeth into it.

Little Bird closed its eyes.

A gust of unforgiving wind lifted Little Bird out of the mud,

only to throw it back down seconds later.

Its eyes opened and the Monster was gone.

Nature began to wake as the sky lightened.

Other birds hummed in the trees above,

just like Little Bird would when morning came.

Little Bird brought itself to its feet,

lifting its fractured wings that struck pain through its veins.

Little Bird attempted to take flight.

It failed every time.

And so, it sat in the mud,

wings tucked around its frail body,

as it exhaled its last breath.