It's after you've fallen
time after time
from a short wingspan
and a weak leap,
when suddenly one day
your flap grows strong
and the air beneath you
defies gravity,
when you yell behind
at the top of your lungs,
"Look, you guys!
I'm finally flying!"
that,
with a brief glance
and confusion in your eyes,
the silence overtakes you,

because there's no longer anyone there.