Falling, Not Flying

Everyone said I was ready
To take that final step
To leave the nest and fly
I felt the wind under those tiny wings for just a moment
And thought that I had made it

The time was not right
The wings were not strong enough
To support me, to lift me high
That wind was a trick of the air
It was just the beginning of the plummet

Instead of flying
I'm falling
The one little bird who didn't quite make it
Left the nest too soon they now say
Although it doesn't matter now
There is no turning back
Once you've taken the step

The fact doesn't hit at first
That you're falling to your death
You're allowed to believe that for just a moment
You have succeeded, you're actually doing it
Then reality sets in
Just a few feet from the ground

But at that point
It's too late to change your mind
It's too late for regrets or prayers
It's too late to say good-bye
It's too late for epiphanies

.....Splat....

The baby bird is no more