I feel like a caged bird with beautiful, colored wings tied behind my back and my beak taped shut. There is no one to blame but myself. I once had the key, locked myself in, and threw it away. Often, I see by-standers, even those who offer help-I deny. The second I reach out, I am left stranded in the vacancy of this cage. When I try to speak, the muscles around my beak ache. I am unable to make any sound, but my eyes are coming alive through any soul that looks at me. The words that only my eyes can scream, wrap around the dole by-standers eyes. They squirm and fight because of the loneliness wreaks of humiliation. Only a few can handle...

When I try to fly, I’m batted down by the negativity of others. It takes every bit of energy to set my wings free. I may be stuck in this cage, but at lest I can grow to my fullest ability without others influence. Thus, someday I shall lead.

Sometimes I observe the difference in me and the by-standers. I pick out my flaws like crows pick at flesh. When I see my flaws, I see raw insecurities that no one else deserves to struggle with. I take those emotions in, and express to others there worth. How they are much greater than what the faint negative voice says in the back of there mind.

If we stopped looking on how to fill the emptiness by ourselves, there would be no such thing as a bird being caged. Damaged people would stop creating more damaged people. Once your effected, it seems like that is all you see. As a caged bird I may see by-standers, but I also can pick out one who is damaged-one who is and/or has been hurt.

The emptiness is selfishness. . .that must be melted from our hearts. Than again, I’m just an insignificant, caged bird seeking for survival. As. . .we all are, perhaps some are more desperate than others. 

Cassandra Reynolds