ODE TO THE WINGED PIKA

Oh, Pika, Oh Pika!
Hark, little friend
Your adorable cuteness
Simply has no end
 
You scamper out of a crack
In a giant granite boulder
And no matter how old you get
You never look older
 
And yet, I know you are sage
A wise little critter
Do the harsh alpine conditions
Ever make you feel bitter?
 
Or are you simply at home
All snug in your bed
While snow falls above
And flakes land on your head?
 
Alas, oh pika!
I long to be like you
Resilient but present
You know what is true
 
Which is why you have wings
Even though not all can see
For these wings are translucent
Event to me
 
But if you look very closely
Into a heart that is pure
You will see a hint of a sparkle
And a smile demure
 
For the pika knows a thing
As it basks in the alpenglow
That they don't need to worry
About the things they don't know
 
Because as they sit on their perch
Up in the alpine
They know a thing to be true
That this moment is fine
 
And as they glance around the cosmos
At all that exists
They know in their heart
That each day is a gift
 
That each of us has
The power inside
To look upon another
And notice with our eyes
 
That disguised as the air
That's slowly circling
On each of us
Is a pair of wings
 
It's up to us
As we look towards the sky
To make the choice
To soar and fly
 
And when the going gets tough
And the climb gets steep
Just become the winged pika
And say MEEP MEEP!