taking flight

I dream of flying
and in my dreams
I leap and hope that wings
will turn my leaping into soaring
but legs can feel like the trunks of trees
and root me to the ground
with talons caught in solid earth

I watch the birds
take off so effortlessly
unbothered by scorching heat
or the twinges of ancient hinges
and the weight of emotional baggage
they simply flap and go
never looking back

This old crow
keeps plodding forward
gravity dragging day after day
feathers seem such flimsy things
covering bird-like bones so fragile
so slight, yet strong enough
to levitate to heaven

Liz McFadzean