Break out in Song

The bird 'scapes her cage to wing,
To shout in the light of Spring,
To voice heartfelt joy, to sing;
Spent winter chirping to her mirror,
Composing songs deep in her breast.

Feline beast creeps from their house,
Stalks our sprite: he waits to pounce,
Crush her heart, shred every ounce;
Spent wintering: did watch, did hear her,
Jealous - there's Spirit in her breast.

The sprite flits to a branch, to unfurl
Songs to the audience; her whole world
Rapturing she rises up and twirls;
Lighting, melodies stream ever dearer,
Water for parched ears of all her blest.

Hunter climbs the tree, disguised in gray,
Goaded by unseen voice of his prey,
Not heeding the love her songs did play;
Trapped in his pattern of death and terror,
Ashen taste, wicked mouth - her joy contest'd.

He springs! Does he stop the song?
Does her life dry up, withered, gone
On spiteful fangs of deadly wrong?
Only the songstress can take that chance:
FLY, though tears stain the card of life's dance!

LMC March 24, 2010