The Cage

At times the bird inside the cage
Is very dear to me.
At times my thoughts go with the bird
That flies alone and free.

Should I let loose the bird I have
To coax the wild one here
Such change of roles would only make
The other one more dear.

Without the cage I cannot want
Or love or think or say;
Its barriers limn the forms of life
As sun-spokes shape the day.