There once was a bird who was trapped in a cage

She had been living there from a young age

She saw other birds fly about and have fun

Doing all kinds of things that she’d never done

They dove and they soared and they flipped and they flew

Their freedom was the greatest thing that she knew

One day a kind stranger meandered by

When he saw her imprisoned he then wondered why

“Such a lovely bird,” he thought, “never should be

In such a cage like the one that I see.”

So he opened her cage and cared not a thing

What a wrath from her owners her freedom might bring

But instead of flying around to amaze

She sat there inside with inquisitive gaze

What should she do now? She didn’t know

So, on she continued enjoying the show

Of the other birds flying and diving about

She wished to be with them, she had no doubt

Perplexed and quite sad, her “freer” looked on

Wondering what on earth could be wrong

“Perhaps,” he thought, “that is where she was born

And fear of new things is why she’s forlorn.”

So he gently reached down and scooped her all up

She was tiny and would fit inside his teacup

She was petrified and her small heart beat fast

Could she really enjoy freedom at last?

“I know not how to fly,” she realized sadly.

“If I fall it will hurt ever so badly.”

That day she had to choose whether or not

If freedom was better than being caught

From her cage she had longed, day in and day out

To be able to fly and soar all about

But with no chance to be free she never did see

How gloriously dangerous flying could be

Then out of her rescuer’s hands she jumped

And landed upon his left knee with a bump

She wished she could ask him what she should do

Or if he knew all the worry he’d put her through

He questioned gently and gave her a wink

“How hard is flying, do you really think?”

She nestled closer into his arms

Knowing he truly meant her no harm

He lifted her up and ran all around

With the wind in her ears she cherished the sound

Then all of a sudden her freer stopped short

And she showed indignation of a fluttering sort

In frustration she flapped her wings in a fury

Hoping he’d start up again in a hurry

But before she knew what was going on

She was up in the air, away she had gone

The mixture she felt of terror and thrill

Made her want to keep honing her newly-found skill

Her freer grinned to himself as he thought

“Freedom’s far better than being caught!

I hope she’ll fly on to see many things

And that freedom will give strength to her wings.”

As he turned to go, she came back to his side

She nudged his large shoe and he smiled with pride

He knew she was thankful for helping her see

How gloriously dangerous flying could be

And that her fear never should gain

A single vict’ry or powerful reign

“Go on, live your life, my beautiful thing

And never forget to be true to your wings.

Go on and soar, fly to amaze

Never forget your maker to praise!

He made you to be free, and to cherish each day

And to make the world more lovely in your own little way!”

She chirped in agreement, and flew to new heights

She never forgot him, in day or in night

Her good and kind freer who taught her to see

How gloriously dangerous flying could be

Dedicated to Aaron and Rachel

(Began June 5, 2013, completed much, much, much, much later)