Ballad of a Warrior

There was once a proud sparrow
His handsome white plumage striped with brown
This sparrow had a wonderful life
Nested with his children and his wife

The sparrow lived a great many years
Racing his children through the leaves
But as he watched the seasons change
The sparrow knew his end was near

One year, as Summer changed to Fall,
and the air blowing  around him became crisp,
the proud sparrow fell ill
and he knew Death would soon call.

Though he grew weak
The sparrow felt no sorrow
He saw each new dawn as a gift
The proud sparrow would not be bleak 

Early one morning, while the sparrow watched the sun rise
A dark shadow passed over him
Through the branches he saw a predator most foul
His neighbors were still asleep, this hawk would be their demise

Mustering all his strength, the sparrow raced to meet his foe
They clashed, both shrieking, talons blazing
The sparrow fought valiantly, ripping apart his enemy’s feathers
But the hawk was stronger, and he delivered the final blow

There was once a proud sparrow
His handsome white plumage striped with brown
This sparrow had a wonderful life
Nested with his children and his wife