You can’t cage a
Bird that wishes to
Fly first you’ll break
Its heart then you’ll
Crush its spirit and
Finally it’ll stop singing
Every time that door
Opens it’ll try to
Flee until at last
It doesn’t becoming far
Less than what it
Was to both you
And mostly to it
I do know what’s
Coming like summer knows
Fall I do know
That after our days
Of heat and humidity
Comes the change it
Always comes always comes
The breeze turns cool
Then brisk and strong
Prompting sweaters and slacks
To cover our nakedness
And the summers wildflowers
With what were green
Now yellow red brown
Seasons always change they
Always change from ignition
And finally to takeoff
I used to enjoy
Walking across the tops
Of the picket fences
When I was younger
It was the height
That I most enjoyed
Feeling like a seraphim
High above the rabble
I felt absolutely free
Anointed and absolutely powerful
Also atop I balanced
And felt deliciously dangerous
One small misstep one
Strong wind one sin
Would cause me to
Fall as quickly as
Lucifer back to hell
My admission of failure
And my subsequent retreat
Marks my new beginning
And not my loss
In love and war
No battles are won
Casualties are often many
And at some point
It’s best to admit
My friend or foe
We have done enough
Damage to each other
It’s time to heal
Sitting here alone
Window seat watching
Clouds float by
Distracted by voices
Behind in front
Catching the occasional
Peel of laughter
Reminding me of
Yours as clouds
Float on by
But this time
You’re in front
Of me out
There beyond clouds
Waiting for me
And the laughter
That I hear
Now high above
Clouds that float
Float on by
Will soon soon
My love be
Replaced by your
Very own glee
As you run
Abandonedly towards me
Beneath the clouds
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 