Cages

Another day

stuck inside this cage:

locked away.

When I look through

these bars, I can see

a world I wish to explore.

I have never tasted

freedom. I have never

been set free to roam –

not even for a minute.

Does anybody care?

I have been strangled by

the hands of time. I am

starting to think

that I wouldn’t survive

outside this cage. I don’t

know what I am capable

of because I was never

given the chance to use

my wings. Do I even

know how to fly? I see

birds just like me soaring

through the sky. Why am I

the one who got caught

and left to die? Other

birds will never know

the pain I have endured

in my short life. I do not

know what to do because

I am losing my mind,

my feathers are falling

off, and my voice has

grown weak. I cry out,

but no one can hear me.

All I want is to leave:

find a way to fly away

from this place that

holds me hostage:

keeps me prisoner.

This life is all I have

known. Any animal would

hate to call this place

home. I am not meant

to live this way – to be

someone’s pet. One day,

I will break free, spread

my wings, and forget

everything. I have to believe

that things will change.

I will never lose hope

because that is all I got.

If this cage becomes

my grave, please know

that I gave it my best shot.