Flight Of The Fledgling (A Partenza Represa...An Original Form) Poem by Dawn Slanker

A Partenza Represa ©2008 is a form original to this poem. It just seemed to develope as I was writing and with the help of a talented friend, I was able to tighten up the form and improve the flow. The Partenza Represa contains any number of four line stanzas which can rhyme or not rhyme depending on preference. The most important features of this form is that it maintains a strict syllable line count of your choosing: 8*6*8*6,8*8*8*8,10*10*10*10...etc. And, each line must begin (anywhere you like) with the last portion of the line before it. Also, it's important to point out that you can either continue the beginning of each stanza with a refrain or you may choose to begin a new line. Let me know if you like it...or don't :)


Original version: This one was for when my little one entered preschool. (some have mentioned that they prefer this one) Would you mind telling me which you refer?

Flight of the baby bird (Partenza Represa in 8*6*8*6 count)

Although his wings were not yet dry
were not yet dry that day
that day she always knew he'd fly
he'd fly away some day

So, from her nest she gave a nudge
a nudge to help him fly
To help him fly among the stars
the stars that are so high

At first he flew, he flew so high
so high her heart did yearn
did yearn of all he'd come to know
to know and come to learn

The baby bird then left his nest
his nest to stretch his wings
his wings were wet, but off he flew
he flew to brand new things

But, then his fledgling wings did pause
did pause within mid air
within midair he shed a tear
a tear of great despair

He feared that if he flew too high
too high he might get tossed
get tossed into a scary world
a scary world be lost

His mournful pleas have touched her heart
her heart did break that day
that day she sent her little bird
her little bird away

Then mother bird with heavy heart
with heavy heart she'd sing
she'd sing of how her little chick
her little chick did cling

And, how she knew of what was best
was best to help him grow
to help him grow and set his mind
and set his mind aglow.

So, with her strength, he'll find his place
his place among the stars
the stars where dreams are born to live
to live within our hearts.

©2008 Dawn Slanker


This version is for when my little one goes off to college

Flight of the Fledgling (a Partenza Represa in 8*8*8*8 count)

Poor mother bird; she did not cry
she did not cry until that day
until that day she knew he'd fly
she knew he'd fly so far away

Though very sad, she knew he'd leave
she knew he'd leave to seek new heights
to seek new heights within the stars
within the stars he'd spend his nights

She knew that it was for the best
was for the best to help him grow
to help him grow, to free his mind
to free his mind, so thoughts can flow

But, though his wings, now dry, did pause
did pause before he could take flight
before he could take flight he thought
he thought that he might die from fright

He feared that if he flew too high
he flew too high that he'd get tossed
that he'd get tossed to a scary world
a scary world and then be lost

His mournful pleas, they touched her heart
her heart, steadfast, did break that day
that day she sent her fledgling bird
she sent her fledgling bird away

It's with her strength, he'll find his place
he'll find his place, achieve his goal
achieve his goal to reach the stars
to reach the stars within his soul

So, from her nest she gave a nudge
she gave a nudge to help him fly
to help him fly among the clouds
among the clouds and stars so high

The baby bird then left his nest
then left his nest to stretch his wings
to stretch his wings so off he flew
so, off he flew to brand new things

At first he soared, he soared so high
he soared so high her heart did yearn
her heart did yearn for all he'd know
for all he'd know and come to learn

Then mother bird with prideful heart
with prideful heart, began to sing
began to sing of how her chick
of how her chick will grow that Spring

Thank, Dante, I'll keep them both :)

©2008 Dawn Slanker