To Fly

Wearily climbing the trail, his arthritic bones protested each step. The light breeze rustled white lengths as it sang a swan song. Spare leaves swirled around ankles in an anguished dance.

Reaching the crags, he settled, gazing upon the world from his favorite perspective. Many times he had sat there and watched the raptors soaring, trees swaying far below...

Reminiscing on decades of mutual nourishment, he tasted nostalgia.

An eagle circling high above screeched her lamentation over the valley.

Wondering what it would be like to glide so serenely, he drew a deep breath and closed his eyes.

He flew.