"I Never Stepped Out" by Divya Shiji

I am the bird that never stepped out of my nest,
Watch others as they effortlessly soar high in the sky.
Their wings, cutting through the endless expanse,
While I remain in my nest, shackled by invisible fears.

From the confines of my nest, I gaze outward,
Witness other birds' grace in the boundless sky.
Each day, a silent yearning stirs within me,
I long to taste the freedom to fly.

I wonder what it feels like to stretch my wings,
To surrender to the currents of air, weightless and fearless.
But the mere thought invites a flood of doubts,
Whisper tales of fear and the unknown.

Outside my nest, the cheerful chorus of birdsong
Attracts me to join them in exploration.
Yet, I cling to the security of my home,
Prefer the comfort of the known to the mysteries beyond.

With the passage of time, my nest became
Both my safe place and a prison.
The world outside remains a puzzle,
It teases me with its fascination and fear.

I dream of conquering my fears,
And fly high into the open skies.
Perhaps one day, surely, courage will shine upon me.
And I will spread my wings to reach heaven.

But until then, I am the bird perched on the edge of possibility,
Remaining a bird who has not yet stepped out,
And I will become a bird who has stepped out,
Flying up so high to touch the sky.