Imperfect Pieces

9. caged bird

dedicated to natalie for being an awesome reader. thanks for all your support <3

so this was based on Maya Angelo's poem, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"

it's an awesome poem that i've always loved haha you should definitely look it up

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The bluebird sat right outside the window, perched on a nearby branch. It was a pleasant spring day, and this morning a woman decided to bake an apple pie. The sweet fragrant smell of cinnamon and apples was in the air, making the neighborhood even more pleasant.

However, the bluebird wasn't focused on the delicious apple pie that was being taken out of the oven. She was focused on that shiny thing on the kitchen counter. The woman soon walked out of the room, letting the pie cool down. As soon as she left, the bluebird swooped down and flew through the window, leaving behind the safety of the tree. She quickly grabbed the shiny object from the counter with her beak and flew away, over the little yellow house and over the busy street. She didn't stop until she got to a tall oak tree. There, she dropped her new treasure into her nest and examined it more closely.

It seemed to have a round shape with a hole in the middle, decorated with a sparkling stone. The bluebird had seen some human women wear these before, but it was the first time she had seen one up close. She laid it on the top of her little pile that included key chains, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, keys, and even some candy wrappers. The golden ring was by far her most precious find.

"Chur-lee, chur-lee!" came a came a cry from below. The bluebird looked down and saw another bluebird, trapped in a cage with metal bars on the picnic table. He was singing a song with a fearful trill, singing of distant hills and endless seas. His clear and sweet voice was filled with longing, filled with hope- and it touched the heart of the young bluebird. She knew exactly what the song was. It was the song of freedom.

The bluebird came down and examined the cage. There was a latch to open the door, but she couldn't reach it. She tried over and over to free the poor bluebird, but to no avail. The little door just wouldn't open. She hovered around the cage, crying out in despair. Their voices mingled together, their cries becoming one.

Then a little girl appeared, tugging her mother's hand.

"Mommy, look! It's a birdie!"

Her mother glanced at the caged bird and the free one, surprised to find bluebirds in the park.

"Why don't the birdies fly away?" the little girl asked, frowning when she heard their song.

"One of them is locked in a cage and the other doesn't want to leave her friend alone," her mother replied softly, feeling a twinge of sadness in her heart for the two birds.

"I want to let the birdie free. Then they can be happy again!"

The mother smiled at her daughter, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Of course, honey. You go let the birdie free, okay?"

The little girl laughed happily, her blue eyes sparkling. She skipped over the picnic table and grinned at the birds. After fumbling a bit with the latch, she finally got it open.

"Bye-bye birdies! Fly away!"

The caged bird, no longer trapped, looked at the open door in amazement. He could finally leave!

"Come with me," the other chirped, looking towards to the clouds.

The bluebird jumped out without hesitation and took off after his friend, flying higher and higher.

Soon they touched the clouds and the trees were just little blurry dots beneath them. The two birds dipped their wings into the orange sun rays and fluffy clouds that were turning pink. They jumped onto passing gusts of wind and just let it carry them away. They claimed the sky their own and at that moment were the king and queen of the heavens.

They were together and most importantly, they were free.