Once I claimed the sky

floating like a milkweed fluff

conquering the heights.

Ghosts of the past still churn

lost desire once alive.

Precarious world outside

doesn’t scare me anymore

as I’m guarded,

within these golden bars.

Once my Master asked

do you love me?

I mimicked the part

taught by my fate.

He offered the platter, merrily

opening the cage, joyfully.

With wings clipped

and feet tied

I chose to stay.

At what cost? My Freedom!