Stand atop a canyon's wall

Looking over the precipice's edge

Gazing at the little river far below

Then turn your eyes to the sky

Watching the white clouds drift by

Little birds dancing among them

Your breath catches in your throat

Pain blossoming where wings should be

An ache gnawing deep in your heart....

Force your gaze back to the ground

Make yourself breathe once more

And close your eyes against reality

Call up the sights in your mind

The canyon below, the sky above

The wind blowing along your wings

Step out to the canyon's edge

And spread your wings out wide

Take a breath, and then the plunge

Listen to the air rush past your ears

Feel the whistling wind sting your eyes

Mind the ground you're plummeting towards

So cup your wings and catch the air

End your dive with but moments to spare

Hear your wingbeats echo through the canyon

Rise up out of the earth's deep chasm

Climb until you can see to horizon's end

Gaze at the majestic landscape below

Rest in the wind's gentle embrace

Silently soaring over the lovely vista

Your eyes unwillingly closing....

Reluctantly open them once more

Find your feet firmly set on the ground

The air still and quiet around you

Drop suddenly to your knees

Eyes burning as tears freely flow

Mourn for wings that never were....