Hidden Wings On a bright morning in the Season of New Beginnings, As the sun warms the earth, Fairies are trying their wings. Some take a running start and leap into the air, While others climb onto a rock or tree or something To ease the effort of the initial takeoff. Results vary. Those whose wings are strongest, Or who chance upon a fortunate gust of wind, Or are otherwise blessed by Fate, Soar high into the sky, While those less fortunate Only skim the treetops for a precious moment Before tumbling to earth, perhaps to try again. They say that all who persevere eventually succeed, Although how true that is I cannot say. The only real doom is on a nearby mountain. The mountain offers many good jumping-off places From which many a Fairy has soared high into the blue. But it also has hidden peril. It is home to wingless creatures, Some good, some evil, and some who are neither good nor evil But simply Other. Fairies climbing the mountain often hide their wings Lest the more jealous of the wingless ones take offense. Therein lies the peril: From any jumping-off point one can always see Another place, higher up the hill, and seemingly better. So the temptation is to keep climbing, wings still hidden, Until the next launching platform is reached. And as one goes higher and higher up the mountain, One also starts to see the gold and jewels glittering in the ground, And is surrounded by wingless ones whose only goal Is to live as high up the mountain as possible, Surrounded by sparkling treasure. The treasure-seekers are fascinating indeed, As long as you keep your wings hidden. That is the real doom: Not the unlucky wind that brings a flyer crashing to the earth, Nor the wrath of the wingless ones when a wing slips into view. It is forgetting one's reason for the climb And forgetting that one indeed has wings. --- Tom Digby Written 14:47 10/06/2003 Edited 09:13 10/07/2003 Typo Fixed 23:41 08/22/2004 Edited 15:16 01/22/2006