Volare

The sky looked open and the sky looked grand,
So I stood on the cliff and held out my hand
And a little bird came and chirped in my ear;
I begged it for wings and a flight without fear.
It chirped once again and I laughed at the sun,
Stepped off the cliff and floated down to a run;
The pathways were clear and I sped my stride up,
Who wouldn't dash for that glorious cup?
I ran to win life, neither looked left nor right,
Figures sped by me to be swallowed in light,
But then I saw one by the side of the road;
His eyes and his smile stopped me still, so I froze.
He stretched out his hand and I took it in mine;
Our fingers fit perfectly, as if by design,
But then he tugged one way and I looked to the sky,
And he took his own road while I jumped to fly,
For what, thought I, are handholds and eyes
When the air is calling to watch the sunrise!
A few more hands have I held since then,
But none of them stuck as I flew on the wind.
But once day I flew so fast and so far
That I found myself floating among distant stars.
They sang to me shrill, a silvery tune
Of darkness and light that surpassed the moon.
Their goal was to shine and reach the beyond,
To share from a distance the light of their song.
The greater the darkness they shrouded 'selves in,
The brighter their light and more distant their kin.
I looked all around and saw nothing for miles,
No laughter or tears and no uncertain smiles.
Only darkness lay cracked with the silvery light,
And though it was lovely I prepared to take flight.
Away from the stars I flew back to the sky,
Lit on the road and tried hard not to cry;
Someone came then and laid hold of my hand,
It didn't fit right, I did not understand.
His eyes said he did and he held my hand tight;
I asked him if he knew the stars' light.
I was one once, was his honest reply,
But I did not stay long, for I thought I would die.
I begged him then, to not let me go back,
The stars shone so brightly but something they lacked...
So he held me tight and spoke in my ear,
Sang words of love that were lovely to hear;
See here's the ground, love, now plant your feet,
Dance with me, sing with me, feel my heart beat.
But though I danced gladly and gazed in his eyes
The beat was not that of the wings in the skies,
And that's when a tear found it's way from my eye,
Though I did love him, I felt I must fly.
I knew I was drifting, oh don't let me go.
Hold me here close, say you love me so.
But then my tune changed and I pushed him away,
I have to be free, don't you see, I can't stay.
Let me go fly in the sky with the stars,
Let me stay here on the land where you are.
I tore my hand away and flew free
and then it was only clear sky I could see.
I yearned for the stars and their fire alight;
I yearned for the love in his eyes shining bright;
I wished I could stay but I wanted to go,
What are my desires, even I do not know.