I was
(1990 duck rescue, West Wyalong)
Once I was flying
Now I fly no more.
Surroundings, I don't know,
But a blur, a blur around me.
All at once I become
Aware Aware
Aware I try and steady myself,
My wings
My wings do not follow my orders.
I'm trying trying
Please
Trying I panic.
I become aware,
Aware of people approaching
Floating too on the water.
I'm lifted
Anxiety overcomes then dies.
I feel the pressure of
Flesh, I rest.
My eyes are open
I cannot see.
I feel
I feel the blood from my beak,
I bleed.
Caresses on my head
Do not soothe me.
Unaware I know these
To be my friends
Unaware I know not
Who caused my pain.
My eyes
My eyes are closing closing
Closing I'm only slightly aware of the
Pain now fading
Fading fading fading
Fading gone.
Gone, once I was flying
Now I fly no more.
Ondine Sherman, year 11, Vaucluse NSW
This poem comes from the collection Voices for the Animals - A Collection of Stories and Poems by Australian School Students .
Animal Liberation SA holds the copyright to these works. Permission is granted to teachers to make copies for their own students.