Mama Bird

the mama bird flies around
gathering food
and feeds it to her babies
from her own mouth to theirs
then perches above them
to keep them warm and protected
until they need to eat once more
and so it goes
every day
with their little mouths wide open
waiting and taking
until they are big enough, strong enough
to fly away on their own
and i wonder
if they ever look back at their mama
who stayed behind
to keep the nest warm
as her children soar