A Feather Caught by the Wind

A feather, flitting on a wintry gust,
         Far from the warm security of its home,
     Where it once found itself nestled deep
             Under the wing of a lighthearted sparrow.

Graceful feather, how were you misplaced?
         What have you done to find yourself alone,
      Blown about by the frosty, incessant wind?
  How is it that you could have given up
       The care and protection of that home?

If freedom was your goal,
        Have you not found yourself mistaken?
    Can you not see the greys and whites of Winter,
                    Her snowy landscapes and bleak climes?

Surely the cold air
        Has found its way into your soul,
    Now forever marked with its bite.

How you must but wish for your
        Warm and safe home,
     So far away now,
             Traveling above the breeze,
             Unaware of your absence.

How could you ever find it again?
            How could you ever go back?

       Dearest feather,
               Warm down to a lone sparrow’s breast,
          Find your place in the loft tonight,
                In the shelter of the barn,
       Resting on the farmer’s hay
                     And protected from Winter’s icy assaults.

        Though you might not find that home again,
            In which you soared high on the wind, unafraid,
      Find a new home up there,
              High up in that loft,
         Sheltered, and enveloped in warmth,
                 Resting on that farmer’s hay,
                          Your cares once more swept away.