THE NIGHTINGALE'S FIRST SONG

A lesson of patience, courage, and finding your voice

Image, Michel Catalysant

When night falls
The Scops Owl wakes.
He fluffs his grey feathers,
Blinks his big golden eyes three times
And starts the slow, steady beat
Known to forest creatures as “the heartbeat”.

When night falls,
The Scops Owl wonders, 
Steadfast in his rhythm,
Watching the puddle of light
On the famous branch overhanging the lake,
Hoping the new star of the forest
Will find the courage 
To share his voice.

When night falls,
And the heartbeat begins,
The young nightingale
Shivers in the darkness,
Watching the puddle of light
On the famous branch overhanging the lake
Where young birds sing their first song,
And thinks,
“Maybe tomorrow.”

One day, when night falls,
And the heartbeat begins,
The nightingale takes a tiny breath
And tiptoes towards the puddle of light
On the famous branch overhanging the lake.
He fluffs his downy feathers,
Closes his eyes,
Opens his beak and sings
A song so clear, so bright
It whirls through the forest,
Rising high in the air
Where it swings from star to star.

And the Scops Owl
Blinks three times and smiles,
Because he knew 
The song was always there,
Just waiting to be heard.

Image, Jeremy Hynes, Unsplash

Have you discovered my new poetry book, Illicit Croissants At Dawn? It comes with its very own Illicit Croissants At Dawn Spotify playlist, with a song for every poem!
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Much love,
Francesca xx

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