Increasing the Longevity of a Songbird

January 22, 2015

I am a springtime song

Spoken softly in order to keep myself unseen.

Chest and face red, mostly from the embarrassment of forgetting my notes.

My wingspan is short,

Feathered fingertips brushing against lost opportunities

Never fully grasping them.

The American robin has a lifespan of 13 years.

On my 13th birthday I decided my song was better off unheard.

Arms red, not from the embarrassment of forgetting my notes.

My wingspan is short,

But both robins and falcons can find the means to fly.

My song is just as important as theirs.

Fluttering wings and birdsong,

The humble ways of the American robin.

Those who seeks comfort with others of its kind just to keep warm at night.

The American robin has a lifespan of 13 years,

So at the age of 14 I was already exceeding expectations.

At 15, I replaced molted feathers with soft down.

At 16, I learned how to find other robins.

And now, at 17 I'm teaching myself what makes my song worth singing.

I refuse to speak softly anymore.

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