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Cage-bird, caged-bird and key.

There is always the bird
There is always the cage
There is always the key

Her womb was a cage
And this cagebird purred;
Though they say I screamed when I left

My bars were warm
My bunk was soft and clothes washed
til she flew

When did cage turn to caged, for
Poor Mother-hen in her pen?
When?

Now
I'm all bird
I'm all cage
And though many lay claim to that key;
Now I lock me in
And I let me out

…yet she

threw the key
to that me.


MatbbgJ
(On childhood, Maya Angelou’s poem, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings?” and David Campton’s play, “The Cagebirds”.)

You hold the key, Mat. You always did.

She's just borrowing it for awhile.

Cheers mate,
Boss

Hi Boss,
I have changed the poem considerably since your comment above.
Thanks for the input;
and good to hear you around the place again.

MatbellybuttongazerJ

No worries, Jamesy - it's your poem; you're at liberty to do what you like. By the way, have you seen Casey Butler around the traps? I'm kinda' missing his input.

Adam

No Adam. (to Casey question)
Send him a pm. He might need some of your "shock treatment" (your poetry)


MatbbgJ

I like your pondering Mat. I read the first version as well which I don't remember well but do remember that I liked it.

bird, cage, key - which is which ... sometimes a woman (or man) is a cage, sometimes s/he's a key.

My bars were warm
My bunk was soft and clothes washed
til she flew

There's a certain comfort in a cage. I like that you ponder the difference between cage and caged.

Thanks Cate,
"cage and caged" and the fight over the "key" seems to me to be a sort of symbolic myth.
Why do we feel safe in our little cage/cave/home/group ?
And why do we feel stifled by some of our close companions/workmates/family/religion ?
...and the "key"...
Leonard writes on this topic when he calls it his "little will", as I remember it.
The keys to the Kingdom; or the keys to freedom; or free to react to life as you see fit.

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou

So we are free to trap others, or free to free others, help, give space, encourage, put down, ignore; "people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” as she says. It's a good point she makes.

Mat.