Parrotman

PARROTMAN Jack Kelly The parrot proudly perched On the branch outside her cage As she sang her song of freedom As she danced upon her stage. And all who passed did marvel At the sounds she did expel At the beauty of her pagentry And the story she did tell. But when she finished singing Her keeper hooked her chain Her eyes soon filled with sorrow Her face soon filled with shame. And I couldn’t help but wonder I couldn’t help but guess At why she didn’t fly away Why she settled for less. But then I saw a mirror Reflections of my past The treatment centers I’d walked into The recoveries that didn’t last. T’was then that I remembered T’was then that I recalled The boundaries of a cage Are more secure than freedom’s call. Copyright © 2003 Kelly www.thelazarushouse.net