I was there when the cage fell,
a bystander to a new world at its dawning.

I was there when the world went black,
a slow dimming process,
one that robbed so many of their fading courage and misplaced optimism.

I was there when the window opened,
when physical nourishment was provided at the expense of human dignity.

I was there when the plague broke out,
when the whole split apart,
when the first signs of transformation began

I was there when the mirrors were lowered,
when people could finally admire their own plumage,
and envy that of those around them.

I was there when there were only a few of us left,
watching slowly as we all fell one by one,
skin erupting, backs curving, and eyes darkening.

I was there when I forgot my own name,
when my raggedy clothing finally came away from my morphing body,
when I was the last person I knew.

I was there when all that was left was colour,
a flocking mass that circled above,
a rainbow movement that drifted up and away when the cage finally opened.

I was there when the transition was complete,
but in so many ways,
I wasn't.