The Beak I Am Now Learning To Use

I sat on the shells that had earlier been my home-
The remains of all that had guarded me into this life.
One of three that lay broken in the nest-
And I was the last to break through their barriers.

They had long flown away to pursue their meal,
And I was left lonely, in the brambles high, high overhead.
Fear left a bitter taste in the beak I was just learning to use.
A desperate chirp escaped my tongue as I looked over the edge.

To fly or not to fly? To jump or not to jump?
To risk the indignity of falling when here I was so safe?
Yet the land bellow called to me, and my wings wanted wear.
I could not ignore the bird within me.

I stretched, I ran, I cried… and into the air I flew!
The land no longer threatened but beckoned as I explored.
This joy I would not have known if I had never jumped.
This joy I would not have known if I had not risked all.