I remember when I heard

An eagle’s wings were injured.

The proud bird struggled to fly,

But could only manage to hop.

The keen bird caught sight

Of a rattlesnake coming toward him.

The brave bird tried to spread

Its wings, but couldn’t.

The snake crawled its way to the

Scared bird, knocking down two

Towering branches of a small tree.

The frantic bird began looking around.

Not finding help of any kind,

The bird backed into a tall tree.

Trapped and with nowhere to go,

The bird stepped forward to fight.

As the vicious snake came closer

To the imminently dead bird,

The determined bird bobbed

His head toward the snake, killing it.

I remember when I heard

An eagle’s wings were clipped.

I remember the fear,

But I will never forget the bravery.

2004 Gustavo White