Longing To Be Free

Summary

The text is a poetic reflection on the theme of captivity and the longing for freedom, using a dog's perspective in a cage as a metaphor for oppression experienced by animals and humans.

Abstract

The author of the website content has crafted a poignant poem titled "Longing To Be Free" in response to the Paper Poetry Prompt #4 on the theme 'Cage Bird'. Instead of focusing on birds, the poem sheds light on the plight of a dog confined to a small cage, symbolizing the broader issue of captivity and the desire for liberation. The dog in the poem is depicted as scared and yearning for the freedom to experience life's beauty, echoing the universal yearning for autonomy and the right to live without restraint. The author extends the metaphor to human experiences, suggesting that the oppression of any sentient being is a form of slavery that stifles the spirit.

Opinions

The author empathizes with animals, particularly dogs, that are confined and long for freedom, drawing a parallel between their suffering and human experiences of oppression.
The poem conveys a strong message against captivity and slavery, emphasizing the importance of freedom for living beings to express themselves naturally.
There is a sense of gratitude expressed towards Suntonu Bhadra for the Paper Poetry Prompt that inspired the poem and to Sneha Mankar for selecting the theme 'Caged Bird'.
The author suggests that freedom is a fundamental desire, essential for beings to be true to themselves and to engage with the world around them.
The poem and its accompanying text advocate for empathy and understanding towards those who are caged, whether literally or metaphorically, and encourages readers to consider the emotional impact of confinement.

Paper Poetry Prompt #4

Left to Right: Photo and sketch by the author. Photo by Chris Ross Harris on Unsplash

He sat alone, scared witless stuck in this small cage barred with rusty mesh filled with treachery and rage

They took and locked him in in this shelter called his new home he’s no longer wagging his tail the same way when they first brought him home

His eyes were full of sadness watching others — living wild and free enjoying the immensity and vastness of their freedom — full of glee

So he keeps pacing around yearning to get out of this prison for a chance to play and run and witness the beauty of all seasons

I wrote this poem in response to the Paper Poetry Prompt #4 theme, ‘Cage Bird’ I decided to write it based on a perspective focusing on dogs because they’re the ones closest to my heart. Some animals go through with this kind of rage caused by oppression or slavery. Dogs and even human beings go through this kind of situation where you keep on yearning for freedom. Freedom to be who we are and to freely do what our hearts desire.

Thank you, Suntonu Bhadra, for this prompt and for letting me be a part of the Paper Poetry journey. Thank you to Sneha Mankar, one of the previous prompt winners, who selected the theme ‘Caged Bird’ for Paper Poetry Prompt #4.

Thank you for reading!

Longing To Be Free

Paper Poetry Prompt #4

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