“Go on,” chirped Mama. “You are ready to fly.”
“Who’s my brave fledgling?” she cooed, as he jumped.
“Try again,” she squawked, when he tumbled and thrashed.
“That’s it!” she trilled as he glided.
The chick caught the wind and soared out of sight.
Softly, Mama cooed, “Please come back.”

Joanna Alexandra Norland is a UK-based playwright and writing coach. She is a soon to be empty nester incubating dozens of writing projects.