A LESSON

Once a bird so free,

flew into an open cage.
It was dangling on a tree,
nearby a holy sage.

The bird stepped in,
looked thru' the iron ribs.
Saw the rays beamin',
spreading joy as one gives.

Out came the hermit's son,
rushing towards the cage.
Shut the lid and was gone,
playing a prank of his age.

The bird was filled with fear,
and tweets were thus shrill.
In agony, the boy came near,
and he lost all his thrill.

He knew it to be his own,
and caged it all day long.
He loved it dearly, unknown
the bird saw people throng.

With time it turned weak,
remembering the blue skies.
A playful love now meek,
sick and sore with silent cries.

"Set it free from bond",
said the hermit to his son.
The boy couldn't say beyond,
and eyes talked of forlon.

Through the open gate,
away flew the bird.
With no sign of soulmate,
his life became so hard.

Endless wait with time and age,
from dawn till dusk.
He waits beside the open cage,
with a question to ask.

"If it does not come back,
once again into your fold.
Love was false and lost track."
The sage to his son, thus told.

Prasenjit©1997-2012