A Short Flight

I felt familiar rumblings deep inside as I soared above a magnificent green pasture, one that I had frequented in the past.  I could feel the rush of the wind beneath my wings as I floated effortlessly above the world.  Far below, my keen eyes could make out several moving objects.  They were scurrying about frantically, as they no doubt caught a brief glimpse of my shadow from the corner of their eye.   I fixed my steely gaze on one of those moving objects.  It had broken away from the others, unable to find its hole.  It was also unaware that it had become the perfect target.  But the timing had to be just right.  I had set out from my nest a long time ago in search of food.  My belly empty.  My hatchlings' belly similarly empty.   The timing had to be just right.  

As I circled above looking for the perfect opportunity, my mind started to wander.  Random images flashed quickly through my mind as if it were a torrent of hot gusts blasting up from far below.  One image seemed to repeat itself more than others.  It was an image of nothingness.  Dark, empty nothingness.  Yet, at the same time, it felt warm.  Trying to make sense of it seemed futile.  It was unlike any other feeling or sensation and yet it was all too familiar.  I closed my eyes to concentrate on that image and at that moment, a sudden change in the air currents threw me off balance and I had to scramble to get back in position.  My prey was nowhere in sight now.  I searched furiously, distraught over my momentary lapse.  How could I let myself get distracted when so much was at stake?  I felt another rumble on queue, a reminder of my failed attempt.   

The timing had to be just right.  Everything that I was taught by my mom.  The memory of childhood while waiting in the nest for my mom to come feed me came about.  Another distraction....perhaps.  "Focus" I reminded myself.  With too much at stake, I searched with utmost concentration to find the perfect prey.