A precious nightingale sings a sweet lullaby. Tired eyes peer through the veniceian blinds...watching the singing bird. The tiny creature hops in a ritualistic dance, both seductive and sweet. She spreads her wings...and with the toss of the head, and a russ of the feathers...she takes flight and disappears into the fading light.

The blinds close...and I close my eyes......wishing I could fly with her. My mind filled with thoughts of yesterdays...and the to morrows left to come.

Drifting to sleep...I imitate the sweet bird's song, humming every infliction as if she were I, and I were a small part of her. The sun slowly fades on the back of my drowsy lids.....

And I spread my arms, now feather filled hands...Atop my nest's perch, I stand. With the eyes of an eagle...my mind encounters the beauty of dusk. Rich forest greens, carpeting my timid feet. Lovely hues of purple embroidering the horizons, as the fire in the sky...slowly burns to nothing. Soft billowy clouds...the only objects in my way...floating between mine eyes and the heavens. Unable to hold my weight down any longer...my wings softly push against the rising humidity. I leave a soft trail of downy dust behind me, as the gentle breeze kisses my cheek. The wind that once held me down...pushes my soul to new heights...as I soar...kissing the sky's pillows. I dive with perfection, much as my sister birds of prey...Talons outstretched with my acute visions set on my desires. I toss my head in laughter as I playfully tease it with my aerial dance. My thoughts surmount to my flight...I leave the poor scattering being...as I focus my sights on the fading flames. Unkept by time...Unknowing of night...I chase the trail of dying sunbeams ahead. Slowly I turn my head askew, as I realize I have reached the land's end. Fuzzy and white...delving into the deepest blues....my mind races. I dive once more....in an attempt to take in every bit of the sultry ocean air. A lighthouse in the distance begins it's lonely cries. It begs of me to return to the desolate sands....I just want to soar. I reach again for the heavens, as the purple haze fades to black...The fire has died, moon at my back. I perform feats of acrobatic splendor, while my eyes slowly prowl the night...much like the quiet stalking of a cat. I make one final ascension into the heavens...cool night beneath my wings. My eyes stare in awe of the beauty before me. I cautiously fly between the stars...as if not to disturb their timid glimmer. Quietly the shadows engulf my being....I close my awe filled eyes.

The morning awakens me...slowly I turn, morning fire fallen on my eye. The sweet bird has returned to my window....singing a soft serenade. I sit and ponder the beauty of the night as I stare into my black coffee.

I've taken my flight to all extremities of the night....Now I spread my wings and with the Sun at my eye...I make today my newest flight.......