I once had a bird feeder;
It had glass walls on the seed-bin.
Seeds would spill out from a small space
At the bottom edge and the birds would eat
Until
The supply became so low as to no longer
Spill out naturally.
Still plenty of food
Inside the glass-walled bin,
Little birds would squeeze under the space
Get inside
And feast away
Until
They realized where they were:
Frightened,
Fluttering about madly,
Not understanding the glass walls.

I would go out and lift the lid
And block the glass
with my arms
So they could know
The sky and freedom was above them.
Then they would understand
And fly away.

I wish I could put my arms around you
And block your glass walls.
I wish I could lift the lid
And you too could
Fly away.