“Hungry!”

“You’ve just had supper…” I said, sweeping my wings over them.

“Hungry!” They still demanded, all three of them wriggling and impatient.

I settled myself, ignoring the small pecks and scratches my children gave as they squirmed.

“Wait for your mother.” I said. “Perhaps you can hear her wing beats…”

The night outside was cold and silent. Two of my kids were still squabbling over food, but the middle one had settled by my side, listening to the sounds of the forest. I had a feeling that this one would learn other words first.

Even in my nest I can hear little noises.

Bats flapping wildly in the west,

Foxes snuffing at the ground in the east,

Bugs walking on fresh leaves in the south,

Even a creek in the distance.

They have all settled in a half sleep, only my eyes scanning the horizon.

Waiting for her to return home.