I’ve seen other creatures…

la cage

I could be wrong,

I think I’m a bird.

It’s hard to put it into words

‘cause I can’t talk

in exactly the way

the big creature does.

The creature can’t sing, of course,

I’ve sung the easy tunes

so many times,

but all I hear from the creature

is “la la la”

and “mmmh mmmh,”

without a speck of joy.

The creature gives me food,

although the seeds are really old

and the bugs are already dead!

and nectar?

oh well, I’ll keep waiting…

The hairy thing that barks

doesn’t jump up any more,

I stopped being scared.

It’s a good thing I’m up so high!

I did get to fly once

when the creature

forgot to shut the little door,

but I didn’t go far,

my little arms got tired,

then I moved around three times

and then the creature grabbed me—

it didn’t hurt—

and now I’m back inside.

I can see through the wall,

the sun is sometimes bright,

the sticks with greenish things

go up and down,

and back and forth,

I’ve seen other creatures

that sort of look like me,

I heard one sing my song.

A while ago, when it was dark

I think I had a thought…

I’m sitting here…

I can’t remember it.

December 7, 2024

inspired by “A Caged Bird” by Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909)

excerpt:

“High at the window in her cage

The old canary flits and sings,

Nor sees across the curtain pass

The shadow of a swallow’s wings.”

* * * * * *

Book review: Shantung Compound

They didn’t care much

about each other…

by Langdon Gilkey

click here

–

In other words: Poems for your eyes and ears with 64 free verse and haiku poems,

and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)

and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”

Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.