Waltzing with the Wind

One dawn a baby robin, ensconced upon a bush,
        looked at me with wonder and greeted me with love —
I waited for its fear at my overwhelming size,
        yet it tipped its head, undaunted, and stared into my eyes.

The robin preened and postured and opened wide its beak,
        assuming in its trust that I might meet its need —
Alas I had no worm so I failed the crucial test
        of nurturing this orphan who'd fallen from its nest.

Its hunger drove it onward and on the ground it plopped,
        pecking at the earth and hopping foot to foot —
Along came a cat, stealthy stalking beast,
        envisioning the robin as a tasty piece of meat.

I screamed in helpless horror at the predatory cat,
        distracting it a second, yet that was all it took —
The robin spread its wings and rose in its first flight
        waltzing with the wind in the morning of its life.

AB Christie 5/22/08