The Old Goose

                                                                        THE OLD GOOSE

Summer was all but over

Winter was on it's way

The birds knew they had to leave

It was way too cold to stay

Most were nearly ready

For the journey that lay ahead

All but one old goose

Who knew that he'd fall dead

"Come on aren't you ready"

Said a younger goose

"We're heading for warmer climbs

Where there's elk and moose"

"I've decided to stay behind

My bodies old and frail

I'll just slow everyone down

As behind them I will trail"

"Don't you worry you wise old bird

You've done it many times before

I'll fly right along side of you

Help keep you off the floor"

The old goose smiled at him

"You're really way to kind

But you see I'm old and slow

I'm sure to lag behind"

As if on a magic signal

They all took to the air

The young goose waited for the oldie

He really didn't care

The old goose made his run up

And took off in the breeze

Joining with the others

To fly above the trees

But not soon after

The rest were out of sight

He'd tried his best to keep up with them

But his body had no might

The pair kept on flying

Over land then sea then land

The younger goose encouraging him

"Come on you're doing grand"

He could see the elder goose was struggling

Only one more day to go

It didn't matter how long it took

Was all there was to know

The younger goose stayed with him

Flew right by his side

Knowing they were getting lower

His sadness he couldn't hide

The tree canopies drew closer

Till their feathers did brush their top

The old goose said "It's no good

I'm going to have to stop"

The pair landed on the ground

"I just need a little rest"

The younger goose knew it was over

He knew he'd done his best

They'd landed by a wood

The old goose started to head inside

The young goose knew he'd have to tell 

The others that he'd died

"This was my final journey

Now go catch up with the bunch

Tell that I'm sorry

I was right about my hunch"

The younger goose knew he'd have to go

To leave him on his own

Tears filled his little eyes

From his heart of stone

He put a wing around his neck

As if in one last embrace

Then took off to join the others

Like it was a race

He found a spot then settled down

Put his head under his wing

Closing his eyes his breathing slowed

As if to life he tried to cling

Suddenly the darkness was gone

A bright light it did appear

He looked up to a cloudy sky

And watched them disappear

As if from out of no where 

A flying V of 10000 geese

All came into view

As from life he did release

All his aches had vanished

His stamina was back to full

No longer feeling old and weary

No more feeling dull

His soul did rise up high

Joining the others as they flew

At the front a space was made

He knew what he had to do

With ease and elegance

Full of speed and grace

He headed for the lead spot

He slipped right into place