After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises…
because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans.
–Anonymous
(c) March 27, 2016 by Swami X
I watch my prized bird
Organize her cage
In silence
Remembering when
She would feed my heart
with music
When sadness
Hadn’t stolen her song
But now her
Technicolor feathers
Tarred by my words
Finds my gaze
oppressive
She sings no more
A few times she has escaped
Flew the coup
While she enjoyed the distance
She eventually missed home
And returned to me
Now she sneaks glances
Out the window
Longing for freedom
After three escapes
And three returns
She has started to feel
She can no longer fly
That my hurt
Has become a
Ball and chain
Around her leg
that keeps her grounded
yet unsteady
Because I love her
More than calling her mine
I open the cage door
And let her go
“I release you,” I say
Because I see my hold on her
Is flesh bars
And she was never my possession
To imprison
to keep earthbound
a winged beauty
is to kill her spirit
She flies to me
And nestles my neck
I can feel the intensity
Of the embrace
But can’t enjoy it
Knowing that it will soon end
for good
And in the vacuum
Of her warmth
Will be left a coldness
That no fond memories
Will warm
so I lift my tilted neck
and say goodbye
I watch her fly away
As I look longingly towards the sky
Hoping she will return
But knowing this time
Is the final escape
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