As the bird flies, the follower,
with no wings to
beat, or heart to
flutter, takes the wind
for his own.

Wings beat and stir the air,
colors swirl and shift behind,
as she runs with him,
and she feels free.

The follower,
like water, flows
on the current,
and with the wind.
he runs with her,
and he is free.

A cage lies ahead
and waits. Laughing,
it steals all
that is desired. Laughing,
it steals all
that is free.

Higher and higher
the bird flies,
taking the wind
and water
on her own.

The follower falls,
as the chains
come crashing down.
The free fall,
as the chains
shake with mirth
at the hopeful.

The bird is gone;
yet she feels the cage
steal all, until
only a wish remains.
A wish
and a rattle of chains.