Home » Poems » John Heck » Uncage the Songbird

Uncage the Songbird

Foregoing the fool
A tattered heart slept
In a reticule.
Two drawstrings pulled tight
To obscure the light.

Emotions fraught
With second thought
Perfected a
Silent reply.

Nightingales
With clipped wings
Rarely sing.

Free your
Soul and

Fly!



Dedicated to my wonderfully terrific Father: 
02/14/2003
Happy Valentines Day, Dad.
Miss and will always love you, Johnny.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Doris Culverhouse

Date: 4/5/2010 3:13:00 PM

enjoyed sweet dedication!!

Kevin Sabay

Date: 3/20/2010 12:19:00 AM

This is a great poem. -Kevin Sabay

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 3/10/2010 11:51:00 AM

Thankxxx so much John for being able to participate in your Sondheim on Sondheim contest and for choosing Archangels as a second place winner... it was both an exciting and challenging contest... appreciate the time u devoted to sponsoring it ..bravo John..luv.. "Sweetheart"

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/5/2010 10:58:00 PM

A sterling tribute to your dad, John. Thanks for commenting on my blog. I think you are "right on" with your predictions. It is possible Avatar could upset Hurt Locker. REmind me which film played The Weary Heart. It sounds so familiar to me but i have a short memory. Was it that great final song in Crazy Heartt? LUv, Andrea

Laura Mckenzie

Date: 3/4/2010 11:51:00 AM

John Do you know what happened to our friend Rhoda? Her poetry is gone? Laura :(

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 3/2/2010 3:03:00 PM

Don't see your contest posted, but my entry is complete. Please let us know when the contest is reposted so we can enter our work. Love, Carolyn

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 3/2/2010 1:53:00 PM

Hi John, I'm going to send you a Soup Mail. I didn't receive the assigned songs for the Sondheim contest. Thanks!

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 3/1/2010 3:48:00 PM

John.. your contest is messed up again... it seems to happen everytime a running contest closes and their winners are posted and your contest is automatically getting thrown over to the winners circle ...hope u get this straightened out..it does not seem as if any entries are getting posted to your contest either John... this could be a problem for u when u try to judge and close your contest... luv.. "Sweetheart" ..Linda-Marie

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Date: 2/27/2010 2:53:00 PM

John, This is a beautiful poem. And an especially grand tribute to your dad. Lovingly, Dane Ann

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 2/27/2010 11:32:00 AM

SOUP MAIL RE YOUR CONTEST JOHN... luv..

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 2/25/2010 8:50:00 PM

SOUP MAIL .. JOHN... luv..

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 2/23/2010 5:43:00 AM

BELATED SOUP MAIL>.. JOHN ... luv.. "Sweetheart" of Poetry Soup.. SORRY TO BE SO LATE IN MY RESPONSE... FORGIVE??

Sara Lokken

Date: 2/19/2010 1:46:00 PM

I adore the first stanza. Wow! The whole poem is inspiring and breath-taking. Hugs...

Brian Strand

Date: 2/18/2010 12:42:00 AM

John thank you for th honour you placed on my poem in your amusing contest & congrats on your contest latest success.Rgds Brian

Nadia Shahwan

Date: 2/17/2010 7:11:00 AM

Beautifully penned and passionate. Would you pls comment my poem-seven degrees.. thankfully. Wishing you all the best.

Krista Kurth

Date: 2/16/2010 9:56:00 AM

Beautiful and moving. All the best. Krista

Laura Mckenzie

Date: 2/15/2010 1:35:00 PM

Hi My friend how sad a day this linger thought must be , go check your soup mail ! The Cougar!

Brian Strand

Date: 2/15/2010 12:25:00 AM

Congrats on your recent contest success John.Rgds Brian Trust you are progressing well.

Sheila Parrish-Spence

Date: 2/14/2010 5:46:00 PM

This poem is very moving and allowsthe mind to remember.

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 2/14/2010 12:37:00 PM

Oh John this is so moving as I just posted a poem for my Mom and Dad too.. and one just for my Dad entitled PaPa in the new End Line Word poetry form that is sweeping the Soup site.. a wonderful emotional write and good luck in the contest if u so enter it.. a brilliant display of emotions John.. dear to my romantic heart.. loved my Daddy so much too.. luv "Sweetheart" of Poetry Soup .. Linda-Marie..