Learning To Fly – Part Six
The Eagle
Bird of the broad and sweeping wing,
Thy home is high in Heaven
Where wide the storms their banners fling,
And the tempest clouds are driven.
Thy throne is on the mountain top.
Thy fields are the boundless air,
And hoary peaks that proudly prop
The skies, thy dwellings are.
Where was then thy fearless flight?
The Eagle replies:
‘Over the dark, mysterious sea,
To lands that caught the setting light,
The cradle of liberty.
There on the silent and lonely shore,
For ages I watched alone,
And the world, in its darkness, asked no more
Where the glorious bird had flown.
‘But then came a bold and hardy few,
And they breasted the unknown wave.
I caught afar the wandering crew
And I knew they were high and brave.
I wheeled around the welcome bark,
As it sought the desolate shore,
And up to Heavens, like a joyous lark,
My quivering pinions bore.
‘More and more those bold and hardy few
Are becoming the whole human race.
Dangers and doubts I have led them through
So now they worship me in words and songs.
And over the embracing arms
Of fields, forests, lakes and seas,
My wisdom and truth are guiding them
On to the Eternal victory of good over evil.’
James Gates Percival
Edited by Aquarius
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United Kingdom • 86 years old