Freedom

Onto the light fitting the captive sparrow flew

Leaving trails of liquid fear in her wake.

Clinging, embracing her temporary refuge from

Tormented flight, eyes half closed, beak half open,

Panting in time to the rise and fall of her downy breast.

Strange, airless and unnatural, the white walls

Besieged her, the open window guarded by a billowing predator

That sought to ensnare her on the wing.

Through terror-dream vision she perceived her home dimension.

The cool breeze beckoned and the azure heaven awaited as with

Courage that would shame an eagle, the tiny fledgling

Fluttered, fell onto the weather-worn sill and with

No backward glance, exchanged the insensibility of her

Suffocating confinement for the sweet vital breath of the

Garden air.

© JEFT 1996