Caged Bird

Caged Bird

Wait

Watch

Learn

Idle

All my life I’ve waited

Tethered to a leash

Always returning to the same place

Barely room to stretch my wings

Leashed, caged

Free only in taunting words

Freedom so close I can taste it

But I cannot sink in my teeth

I don’t want to wait

I’ve watched for too long

This place can teach me nothing

I cannot idle any more

A new door opens

Opportunity beckons

And I can feel it

Freedom at my fingertips

Reach

Grasp

Yearn

Live

Everyone deserves a fresh start

Don’t I?

What if I don’t want to wait for college?

What if I want to go now?

Will you tighten the leash?

Stuff me back into that cage?

Why haven’t I earned freedom?

I’ve been good for too long

It’s time for me to live

To stretch my wings and learn to fly

And though I don’t I don’t want you angry

I do not need your blessing

Though not technically adult

I can think; I am individual

Why are you so intent on keeping me?

I never see you anyway

This is the age of communication

The age of internet

And cellular telephones

I won’t be far

So let me live, damn you

Let me breath fresh air

For once in my life

And let me have this adventure