Cage-bird was in the golden cage, the forest-bird in the wild,
Whatever was the will of God a meeting between the two ensued.
Gushed forest-bird, “Dear cage-bird let’s fly together to the green”.
Cage-bird whispered, “Forest-bird dear, let’s stay here quietly, within”.
To which forest-bird shuddered, “Oh no, I will never be in fetters”.
Cage-bird uttered, “Alas! How will I be out to the woods to be better?”
Forest bird sat outside chirping all the wild notes.
Cage-bird sang the ditty only it had learnt by rote.
Forest bird said, “Let me see you sing the forest songs, dear.”
Cage-bird pleaded, “Why not learn the cage songs my love, here.”
“Oh no”, trilled the other one, “Dictated words are not for me”.
Cage-bird sighed, “Alas! Songs of the woods! How do I sing?”
One said, “The sky is deep azure, nowhere is there a trace of a bar.”
The other replied, “Neat is the cage, and how firm on all sides is the cover!”
Forest bird chirped, “In the midst of the clouds, open out yourself free.”
“Tie yourself safely to secluded home corner”, cage-bird cheeped.
Forest bird refused, “Oh no, where’s there room to fly?”
The other one murmured, “Alas! There’s no perch, up so high!”
Thus these two loved each other but couldn’t get any closer,
In between bars their beaks touched so did their mute stare.
Both failed to grasp the other’s plight as well as their own.
Only they beat their wings; called each other to be close; forlorn.
Forest bird cried “Oh no, who knows when shut will be the door”.
Cage-bird sighed, “Alas! My wings have no strength to soar.”
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