sacrifice

the first line is from a poem by Maya Angelou

“a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams”
or so the poet told
but dreams aren’t so simple to kill as this seems
which is why from the grave we hear soul wrenching screams
while the bird weeps in silence, her tears diamond streams
locked in a cage of gold

as a nestling, her dreams filled a vast expanse
so many lives she could choose
but around her were crowns and a princess-ly stance
no freedom to fly, just a duty filled dance
and none of her dreaming was given a chance
if she flew, all her people would lose

but sacrifice means that the giver gets more
than she gave, and our bird found it true
because she loved and served, she was always adored
though her feathers were windless, she felt that she soared
though she was imprisoned, dreams found the locked door
and finally pushed their way through

line count: 18