Clipped by Fear

The cage door hangs open

but the Love Bird stays behind

the barred walls she's

come to know as home

Thinking this a slight-of-hand

or simply a mirage, like the

sheet of glass protecting

the landscape on the wall

She knows there's danger in

illusion, and freedom is

the unknown

hiding larger birds-of-prey

beneath it's 18-karat offering

plate embossed in grapes of wrath

Slowly, releasing a sigh

I walk over, close the door

Fear had left her shaking

on a branch, in the darkest

corner of her cage

Tonight she sings alone

and I feel her soul-deep comfort

in the ribbed-cage

I call home.

The Web Projects of Sondra Ball and Mario Cavallini