Gilded Cage

A gilded cage holding and incarcerating a bird of paradise,

Unable to lift its wings and to the unbound skies rise.

Jailed inside its prison for all to see and admire,

Yet unbeknownst to them is that the pretty birds situation is dire.

Seeing only the beautiful cage encrusted with diamonds and jewels,

Informing the fact that this regal bird yearns for the skies where it rules.

It’s shiny plumage now limp and losing its once golden sheen,

It’s once powerful wings and body all small, doubled over and lean.

Yet one fateful day perchance a stroke of the most desired fate and luck,

A young boy across the cage did stumble and sadness upon his heart did struck.

To see past this glorified prison and over-exalted jail,

That its prisoner had been tormented and tortured, left looking frail.

Striking the padlock over and over to break the birds glittery confinement,

The bird noticing what is occurring begins to help and peck, shrugging off her ailment.

Together they strike in continuous unison and in perfect harmony,

The sounds of their blows creating an anthem for freedom, a new symphony.

And at long last the padlock snaps and falls to the ground destroyed,

The door swings open and finally the bird can escape this pitiful void.

At last set free she opens her wings and soars to her kingdom above,

All feelings of despair, frailty and fear replaced with strength, courage and love.