When burdens get heavy

& you hear the bird

of freedom calling from the sky,

remember--

flight does not always require

movement--

flight can be still

like a ripple in water,

effortlessly expanding.

Find the center

of the spiral climbing

like a vine in your heart

& stay there for awhile

until your smile returns.

Don't try to lift a heavy boulder

with tired arms,

wait until the boulder

is ready to be moved,

& then delight 

in the flight

that soars to the sky,

a bird with golden wings,

ascending, descending,

freedom, once again.