The Empty Nest~ By Swati Rawal

You held the promise of life 
First one, then finally four
The parents were so proud
Keeping vigil round the clock
Mother robin rocked the eggs lovingly
They loved the beautiful blue eggs
Robin blue, a color like no other
Their “cheery cheery cheery” calls filled my home
Then suddenly an eerie silence
The eggs were gone without trace
Oh nest, only you know the tragic secret
I cried with the parents that day
My cheery friends, I felt the pain
But take heart, build another nest 
Away from preying beaks and marauding claws
Wish I could see next spring with you
But I will be gone soon leaving my nest empty too
But perhaps you could come back next year
And be “cheery cheery cheery” to the new tenants
Bring up a new brood of fledglings and watch them grow
And life will be cheerful once more


Author Bio:
Swati Rawal is a dentist by profession who loves the arts and nature. She is an avid photographer and writes poetry and short stories. She was born and raised in India and then relocated to Trinidad and Tobago. She currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband, two boys, and two canine children.