children: fly!

you killed a bird,

a bird too old

for its nest,

and you wanted

it to fly,

because

he was past his time.

so you shot him.

and he fell down.

and he fluttered

for four moments,

and twittered

three notes,

and sighed twice

(but you couldn't hear)

and cried once

(but you couldn't see)

and you kept shouting

"fly!"

till the sound 

of your throat

echoed about,

rudely rattling

against the little

stillwarm featherball.

when the trees swayed,

you said you didn't

need their songs,

and walked away,

and walked his way

to him you said,

make me smile. 

so he sang his song

reserved for you

and your honesty,

he chirped 

more sweetly

as your peeling lips

curved, 

and you laughed

and made them 

bleed.