I wrote the following poem on May 14, 2016, after observing a baby robin who refused to join his fledgling siblings in leaving the nest. He was still hanging out in the nest a week after his siblings fledged. The day I wrote “Home Safe Home” he decided that it was time to prove my poem wrong and join his siblings.

My siblings left
They all flew free
Now in this nest
There’s only me

Here I will stay
Yes, all alone
Because the world’s
Unsafe to roam

It’s snug in here
The food is free
My parents love
and protect me

The world is a
Dangerous place
I’ll stay right here
In my safe space

Leave me alone
I’m happy here
With no worries
Nothing to fear

This special spot
Will always be
My place to live
I won’t fly free