Cuckoo’s Nest

Don’t grow up to be
like me, just do your best;
learn, feather your wings
and make them strong –
and when you fly, fly
east or west. While I,
I’ll stay and fly again
over the cuckoo’s nest

Don’t spend the yearning
years afraid to leave for
fear of distances unread;
hear the call of feral birds
whose singing in your ears
invites your wings to flight,
excites a view of far-off
summer seas

Leave me here,
remember
where I flew
and what I said;
let it be your destiny –
that one flew east
and one flew west
and one flew over the cuckoo’s nest
© 22 April 2008, I. D. Carswell