A Lost Home

I can hear the many songs of birds in their habitats 

But only one catches my eye, stubby but proud

Purple-crowned fairy wrens

Full of energy and enthusiasm bouncing back and forth from branch to branch

Their nests a maze of branches and twigs

The leaves of their home dancing alongside them

The forest, a caring mother, calming them with a gentle breeze

I could sit and watch them in awe for hours

But as it gets dark I know that it is time to go

The sun slowly sinks towards the horizon

The forest calls out once more, convincing the fragile birds it is time for rest

But no rest was given that night

A light appears, so bright in the dead of night 

A fiery inferno burns angrily through the forest 

Purple-crowned fairy wrens desperately dart away

The forest, with its ancient eucalyptus trees, wails in agony,

Screaming to the little birds, warning them to take cover

As dawn breaks, the destruction is revealed

Amethyst crowned, sapphire tailed fairy wrens lie scattered all across the forest floor

Our precious wrens have lost their forest, their families, their homes, everything.