Living Caged

Summary

The author recounts the tragic story of Chicken, an Umbrella Cockatoo, whose life and untimely death taught her about the nature of freedom and the consequences of caging wild creatures.

Abstract

The narrative "Living Caged" by Melissa Bee is a poignant reflection on the author's experience with her pet Umbrella Cockatoo, Chicken. At twenty years old, the author found companionship in Chicken, who provided comfort and quelled her loneliness. However, after a painstaking search following Chicken's escape, the author learned that the bird had been mistakenly claimed by someone else. Eventually, Chicken was returned to the author, but the story took a tragic turn when a predatory cat attacked and killed the bird in its outdoor cage. The incident led to profound regret and a realization that birds should not be confined. The author acknowledges her mistake in trying to ease her solitude with a caged bird and emphasizes the importance of setting birds free, hoping that Chicken's story will serve a greater purpose. The piece concludes with the author expressing her love and saying a final goodbye to her friend.

Opinions

The author believes that it was a mistake to keep Chicken in a cage, driven by her own need for companionship.
She expresses deep remorse over Chicken's death and the circumstances that led to it.
The author advocates for the freedom of birds, suggesting that they should not be caged.
She finds some solace in the idea that Chicken's story might inspire others to consider the welfare of animals.
The experience has led the author to a place of self-forgiveness while still honoring the memory of her feathered friend.

Paper Poetry Prompt #4

Photo and Illustration by Melissa Bee

Living on my own, twenty years old any little noise, made me feel off poise — it was my selfish need, for comfort in the quiet no shot at moving in a boy — off the table on the table lived an Umbrella Cockatoo oh he was the perfect boo I snuggled and loved his hand-held body meant to live above on my shoulder he perched until one day he flew a pain-staking search crossed the old lady who found him she didn’t have the good memory — said Chicken was hers showed her a picture, me with him bottled my temper she gave him back for me to — I thought to keep him safe, in my backyard, caged on a bright and sunny day a hungry feline came along stuck a paw inside — things gone horribly wrong pinned him, killed him, freed him with much agony, only thing left — my caged regret.

It really sucked that I had to learn this lesson the hard way. I shouldn’t have purchased Chicken to quell my lonely heart. I will always be sorry about how his life ended, but at the same time, I had to forgive myself.

Birds are not meant to be caged. My hope is that if one bird can be freed from his story, than his life has served a greater purpose.

Rest in peace my friend — I love you.

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Here is the prompt if you would like to join:

Gratitude

Just as my wise seven-year-old Bella gave thanks the other day in her poem Cry Baby, I too am thankful for life.

Thank you to Sneha Mankar for the prompt: Caged Bird

Thank you to Suntonu Bhadra for giving my words a platform.

Living Caged

Paper Poetry Prompt #4

Shades Of Life: Paper Poetry Digest#4

For the timeline of September 26— October 10, 2020