From the first brave, daring call of independence,
the very instance of flight,
comes hope,
                  ecstasy,
                                    discovery,
then the very first moment of
            fright.
What tragedy may
            strike,
what dreams may break,
what fate can deal with terror,
                  fear alike.
From daring flight
                              to possessed fight-
fierce as lightning,
for life’s profound height,
comes disaster,
an awry blight.
The goal is lost
and all seems bleak.
                  Suddenly,
with a twist
of the kaleidoscope,
from sorrow
                to elation,
from gloom
                    to jubilation,
a new hope dawns,
                            a new light breaks-
courage soars,
and cowardice falls-
a new found strength,
                        a new born faith.
As the wind beneath caresses
and strokes, fly
to a bright new gleam,
                        a now clear land,
on stronger,
                      better,
                                    truer
wings.