She flies away...

I've heard of the 'empty nest syndrome' when babies leave the nest. When I first read this poem, that was how I interpreted it. But I could never really understand the second verse... most poems are open to interpretation by the reader. So now I read this poem in a very different way.

Cradle Song

What does little birdie say
In her nest at peep of day?
Let me fly, says little birdie,
Mother, let me fly away.
Birdie, rest a little longer,
Till thy little wings are stronger.
So she rests a little longer,
Then she flies away.

What does little baby say,
In her bed at peep of day?
Baby says, like little birdie,
Let me rise and fly away.
Baby, sleep a little longer,
Till thy little limbs are stronger.
If she sleeps a little longer,
Baby too shall fly away.

(Alfred, Lord Tennyson)