“You’re just an empty cage, girl, if you kill the bird.” – Tori Amos
If you kill the bird
you’ll rise up every morning
drone-like, yawning
heart un-singing
If you kill the bird
you’ll spend your whole life mourning
yearning, wishing:
unfulfilling
If you kill the bird
you’re dead girl, walking
empty streets through hard
rain falling:
You’re just an empty cage girl
void of poetry, unheard,
you’re just an empty cage girl
if you kill
you kill the bird.
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Sharing with earthweal
I’ve taken a break from blogging this week, as it’s been the kids’ half-term, and I’ve also had a busy work schedule. It can be hard to find the time, energy and inspiration to write poetry. But, as this poem and song reminded me, it is so important to find that time!
Sharing with earthweal’s Open Link Weekend #142.
I have a free weekend this weekend and I, too, feel I should write something.
Which means that you definitely should!
Like the bird and cage – soul and body analogy…works so well. I wrote a rant first thing in the morning… was nice to vent a little 🙂
That can help to, to release whatever frustrations you might be feeling!
A good reminder, Ingrid. Enjoy the time with your kids, but also take time for yourself! 💙
Thank you, Merril – I’m trying 😅
Absolutely love this Ingrid.
Thanks Vinny!
You’re welcome!🙂
May you return feeling refreshed.
🙏
Glorious photo, Ingrid! Reading your poem, I thought of how some people feel that there are not enough hours in the day to do the things they want to do while others are bored! May your inner bird always sing!
Thank you, Cheryl – I should be grateful at least that I am never bored! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ❤️
Sometimes life calls, and we must answer. She’s still there…always waiting to open her wings. (K)
Thanks Kerfe – I know it!
This is gorgeous Ingrid with such vivid metaphors … O so relate.
love you are taking a well deserved break my friend!!!
Cruising with the kids most likely, not yourself.. enjoy.
I’ve been rescuing a lot of birds lately here literally from Ollie..
Now I just need to save myself.
Love you girl!
❤️
Thanks Cindy – that’s “break”, not break 🏖️😅 maybe one day…❤️
You’re so welcome Ingrid.. someday for sure. 💗
I like how you took Tori’s lyric and ran with it.
Thanks Lisa – it’s relatable!
You’re welcome. Glad you decided to take a break for the bird’s sake <3
This is a gorgeous poem, Ingrid, and hauntingly reminiscent for me. Better to let the bird fly and sing. 💗 Tori is quite quotable. I love her work! 👏🏻
Thank you Michele – some of her lyrics are easier to fathom than others 🤣
True! 😂 I suppose it’s good sometimes for artists to keep people guessing. 🤔😁
Loving this haunting write and its careful connection to the quote! <3
Thank you Jaya 😊
Our inner smile sings.
True indeed Barbara 😊
Such a song, a warning. Let’s let the songs of our and the birds rise up together.
Agreed!
Loved the song, which was a blast from my past. Strong metaphors run through the poem. Life is all about balance for me. I strive to give a little, take a little, hopefully in harmony. Self crucifixion not recommended x
Thank you!
The inspiration is one of my favorites. I’ve always found that line to carry so much weight. Anyways, love your poetry and finding this here. Perfect.
Thanks so much K. 🙏
You’re welcome. Happy fall!
And to you 🍁
This is so cool. I think it may be my favorite of yours, Ingrid. 🙂
–Shay
Thank you Shay!
I’m so glad that you found the time, and this is the perfect contemplation on why it’s so important. Beautiful, Ingrid!
Thank you kindly Jeff!
Amazing work/play Ingrid!
Glad you found it so Nick x
I love this poem so much. What i love about writing is that it waits for us, and when we need them, the words come.
That is true, Sherry – absolutely!
I’ve spent 40 years wishing I could write full time, but I have bills and eventually a house with a love that I wanted more than anything (even poetry) to sustain … Choices define us, but that’s not to say a great amount of accommodation can’t be made. Eamon Grennan said once that she had to learn how to write the poetry between the changing of nappies. We learn. Besides, there is the terror of having more than enough time to write and finding not much to say.
All true, and thanks for the reminder!
Such beautiful depth in this, Ingrid. On a lighter note, the neighbours slaughtered and ate their cock(rooster). I miss its 6am crowing, which was a bit annoying. But everythings’s that more empty now..
Oh I can imagine!
I know what you mean about finding the time–and the bird–for poetry, but just opening that cage door can help, even if the song is elusive. Nothing kills it more than the money machine, as Burroughs called it, and all that it takes from us to accommodate it: ““What does the money machine eat? It eats youth, spontaneity, life, beauty and above all it eats creativity. It eats quality and sh*ts out quantity.” So less can often be more.
So very true, all of what you have said above. I believe it’s why we are destroying ourselves-what’s left to live for if you remove the meaning?
Ingrid, I really like this poem. It is a unique way to look at what keeps us alive. An empty cage is no way to live.
I hope your weekend as all you hoped it to be.
Thank you, Ali – I hope the same
for you!
That’s really a very nice thought of you that other than human beings other creatures also matters in this World and we are incomplete without them so we should care for them too thanks for reminding
Thank you!
I think we need to remind this to ourselves every hour of our lives. This is genuinely good to read.
Thank you kindly!
Great
Thank you 🙏
Oh, this is beautiful. ❤️
Thank you Bridgette!
I hope the “break but no break” was good, Ingrid! There are just so many hours in a day and we struggle with prioritising.
Beautiful write. May the bird keep fluttering its wings and we never become the empty cage. ❤️
Thank you, Punam – I’m planning a ‘real’ break at Christmas so let’s see if I manage 😅
You are welcome. I am sure you will manage. It is admirable how you have been handling everything.😊