I find myself longing
So very often I am longing
For freedom, to be wild once more
To feel the sun dribble across my skin
Through the blanket of tree branches
And the dew of morning mist
As I pass through the brush
Out there where words are never spoken

I hear you
Calling to me from far beyond this bubble
This place of metal and wires
Concrete and iron and copper
I am caged
In this cold man-made place
I know this is not where I am supposed to be
I am an animal
I am to be wild
I am to be free
But still I trapped here all the same

Yes, it is quite the zoo we have made
Haven't we?
Putting all of us on display
Dressing us up in silly fabrics
Fancy toys strewn as far as can be seen
Enrichment just a button press away
I never felt like I fit in a place like this
No, this is not what I am supposed to be

I keep finding myself
Lingering on the border of these two worlds
I can't help but give pause every time I happen to pass by its fencing,
Maybe its not quite a coincidence
That I pass by it at all

But when I do end up there
Teetering on the edge
I stare into the forest
And I see myself leering back
The me that is wild and unburdened
Mud covered feet
Hair long and unkempt
And teeth bloodied and yellow
Nails chipped and worn
I look almost akin to a beast

I feel my skin and bones yearn
My pulse quickening as my soul wails and begs
For what I cannot quite reach
I crave that which once was
And would also never be
I wish to return to being wild
Before words and people and things
Still I am caged here

I am an animal
I am to be wild
I am to be free
But perhaps I am too far gone
That I spent too much time
Became too domesticated
To be able to return to such a thing