Young and optimistic, I always thought that freedom was something I could obtain.

As a child I watched birds.
I studied their feathery bodies as they soared through the sky;
Took notes on the way their wings dip and dive over tree branches;
I revised every note to their morning song as they created crescendos of sound;
And I learnt from their gentle nature.
I found freedom within the birds.
But I guess they never warned me about limitation.

Little bird,
I watched you die today.
I watched you dive into the line of an oncoming car on a busy street.
I watched in horror as your tiny body was thrown to the ground, helpless and broken.
I watched a stranger “put-you-out-of-your-misery” with a small steal capped hammer.

Little bird,
I watched you die today.
I watched as your freedom was taken away.

I guess as a child I never stopped to realise;
Freedom has it limitations too.