I feel like I could love; it feels like I do.
But I feel I am playing some role in this life
The role of "What if?" and "I'll be here."
and "She may love me, too."

I feel like I could love; I don't know if I do.
Maybe I've just confused love
with a different emotion. Maybe two.
That could be true.

I feel like I'm in love; but I don't know. With whom?
Maybe with just some words or fantasy
or emotional fever dream
Where we are dancing, somewhat inimatly,
Hands tied, swaying a candles gleam
In some dreamy ballroom.

I must be in love; I feel I love you.
What other force could make me say this to you?
What kind of dream could be composed of only you?
And be it just some dream, at least it's with you.

I know why the caged bird sings.

It's not because his song
is as vibrant
as his feathers, that he plucks away
each day because he doesn't
feel beautiful.

It's not because of the majesty
that exist in the freedom
of being able to spread his wings
though he knows
he'll never rise to the occasion.

He sings because he believes
that this cage
was made for a king
because he has never tasted
freedom with a side order of skies.

He's never flown past the sun
on a cool morning
or hung with the moon
on a warm night.

He's only ever known
the comfort of a prison
that his thoughts have
become accustomed
to calling home.

He would never venture
beyond the "welcome" mat
because what's beyond the threshold
holds no promise
the way these bars and metal locks do.

He sings because he knows
that no one is listening
so if he makes a mistake
he doesn't have to live with the regret
or embarrassment of knowing that he missed his note.

The caged bird
never believes that he's caged
because behind these walls
he's safe
and he prefers it this way.

I know why the caged bird sings.