if you're a bird keeper
i'm a bird
and you've caged me
dulled me
until my wings have turned gray
and old.

if you're a whale hunter
i'm a whale
and you've been searching the sea
for a whale like me
to take home as a prize.

if you're a child
i'm a butterfly
with my bright colours
my delicate frame
you've caught me time and again
until i've become brittle
and broken.

if you're a bird keeper
i'm a bird
and these iron bars
have a way of reducing me
to nothing.