Gratitude from the young bird,
being fed mouth to mouth;
has only just realized the care
of one who yet knows her heart,
who saw through the brambles.

Another from the old nest
flew past transparent doors,
but the young bird,
too afraid to sing,
ignored the longings of friendship.

Wonder that the passage of time
failed to chip away at the stone,
the enduring stone of honesty,
of greater good;
Reverence for true heroes.