Perched

I tried to let her go

Flapping her wings in her cage

She told me she wanted to go

She ruffled her feathers

Squawked all she could

I sat her cage on the window sill

Opened her cage

And she sat there

She didn’t move

Just looked out on what happiness could be

Afraid to move

Afraid to release what she was pretending to hold on to

The day came and went 

She sat in her cage perched

Once the sun was hiding from her

She finally signaled me to move her back to her table

To fight for another day

To pretend that her existence is needed else where

I still wonder why the caged bird sings

When her freedom has been given to her

And yet she still doesn't want it