I see a row of bird cages,
a collective front of living batteries,
propping up the ceiling,
peering out from the blue,
kindly
bound.
In the care of safe hands,
shielded from nonchalant
chaos of nature awaiting
naive prey.
I saw a line of bird cages,
equidistant apart and still
fixed to the ceiling,
dreaming wistfully of the sky,
kindly
bound.
With each swing of the pendulum,
they are fed, growing
resentment of stale routine,
dulling their sight to doors
that were never locked.
I had seen a chain of bird cages,
crowding together,
territories impeding, tethered in reluctant
union to the ceiling,
shrieks piercing for the sky,
kindly
bound.
A bold push opens the door,
and they are free—
falling, their beautifully curated wings
already clipped.
The promise of flight,
……………………an illusion crafted in captivity.
**
Planning J Saw is an Australian-born, Singapore-raised, and Malaysian-heritage young artist. Navigating his roots and branches has been perhaps the only constant in his life. Therefore, he endeavours to speak firmly to himself and, by extension, to communities through poetry.
Rochford Street Review 