pretty gold cage

like a bird

in a cage

i can't fly

i can't sing

i can't see the sky

or feel the air

to be given wings

with feathers to fly

to know my real purpose

but not be able to rise

from my perch

in a pretty gold prison

i sit all the day

and cry all the night

mourning a life

i don't understand

one with space to grow

one with room to become

what i was made to become

not sit in a pretty gold prison

with a pretty gold key

that i stare at all day

but out of twisted values i stay

and watch the key turn

twisting and teasing

tantalizing

torturing me

just within reach

till i turn too

and ignore the truth

that i am afraid

to touch the key

and be free

-d.b.

10/29/16

of gates and pleading

gates that guard the ocean

standing tall

and daring me

strong 

of iron

wrought

in fire

hot

from coals

that burn 

eternally.

my fate

to enter

through these gates

the ocean's vastness

open please

i call

but nothing happens

so i bid it

once again

open please

but it stands there

strong and tall

i fear the gates

their silence

piercing

blocking out

ocean's call

open please

i bid again

they stand there

mocking me

and so i turn

in fury

turn again

to face 

my newfound enemy

i yell

open now

they stand there

silent they

stare at me

and so i cry out

open now

and still

they stand there

sullenly

i wrap my fingers

round the rails

and shake the gates

with all my might

and scream out

open open open!

but still

they do not heed 

my call

open open open OPEN!

i plead my case

but then i fall

OPEN

open

open

open

black indifference

stands its ground

my futile tries

seem foolish now

for though i tried

was not enough

a gate is mindless

it pays no mind

to beatings

words

heartfelt screams

gates see nothing

but have a lock

for just one key

which i have not.

-D.B.
4/2/2014