HIGH HOPES

When the egg breaks
And everything seems possible;
As the chick shakes
Shell-shards from sticky down;
As the world wakes,
Inviting, exciting, accessible,
And the youngster takes
First hopeful steps: a clown

In stubby down, sweet chick-chick fluff;
A darling scraggy pompom; wings no match
For all its dreams; feathers not strong enough
For the wide world; teach it to peck and scratch!

Among the debris of the cluttered nest,
Stretching with useless wings, to shake the air;
Squawking at parents: “Give me the best!
Why can’t I get my own yet? It’s not fair!”

Hop a few inches, while dreaming of miles;
Scold and squabble; make the gawky wings flap;
Beg and feed, while each parent smiles;
Bigger; growing beautiful; till leaping the gap

Into air! Dizzy ecstasy! Rhythm and sweep:
All that was practised on dusty ground;
No more waiting; no more tumbles; the great longed-for leap
Into freedom, adventure, the last thrilling bound!

Now the air sings
Through the confident climb,
And the earth swings
Far from the circling feet.
The ascension brings
Panorama sublime!
On glorious wings,
Mount to the beat!