The Hawk

The bird on the mountain looked up at the sky
His mother had told him when learning to fly
That there are some rules you should never ignore
Established in ornithological lore

"Keep it in mind that your mother knows best
And, when you're there at the edge of the nest
Remember, my son, when you give it a shot
That take-off is optional, landing is not."

He'd studied the code and he'd taken the test
He'd learned how the wind mainly blew from the west
But as you'd imagine - and ain't it the truth?
Nothing can curb the bravado of youth

And that's how it happened; this juvenile cock
With sufficient testosterone to fuel the flock
Tied himself up in a Gordian knot
Because take-off is optional, landing is not

He launched himself out into infinite space
The wind in his feathers, the snow on his face
He hadn't gone far before quickly it dawned
His mother had very specifically warned

Of the danger and peril of ice on the wings
And of course of the consequent hazard it brings
He swiftly remembered that thing he forgot
Whilst take-off was optional, landing was not!

Initially, no one was really concerned
But when they reported he hadn't returned
The Rescuers hurried down out of the peaks
Wearing those high-visibility beaks

The leader, the Hawk in the shades whispered, "Jeez!"
Looked up at the weather, looked up at the trees
"I guess we can see what a problem we got
Whilst take-off is optional, landing is not."

It was two hours later the Hawk got a break
And radioed in, "He's come down on the lake
We're needin' some help here - he ain't gonna shift!
Call out the whirlybird and get us some lift!"

They worked under floodlight to loosen his claws
'Til suddenly there, to a round of applause
The Hawk shouted, "Now! Give it all that you got!"
Take-off was optional, the landing was not

They finally delivered him back to the nest
And that's when the Hawk and the crew and the rest
Told him of how they were truly concerned
He'd seemed to forget all he ever had learned

"It's all down to you to responsibly fly
You're a Bald Eagle son! The King of the Sky!
It's not much to ask, but it counts for a lot
That take-off is optional, and landing is not

"In this thing we call life, we're not all the same
They call me 'The Hawk', but it's only a name
But you, you got power up there in those wings
It means you can do many wonderful things

But listen, let's say it, you're still immature
So keep it in mind when you're feeling unsure
And cherish it, learn it, it's all that you got
Take-off is optional, landing is not!

Say it to me son - it counts for a lot
Take-off is optional
Landing is not...