A World of Many Hues

She cries, that is reality to her
Anxiety consumes her whole being
She’s stuck in a cage with nowhere to go

She says she’s fine but her sleeves pulled longer
Than the list of dreams her heart’s concealing
She hides, that is reality to her

She takes a deep breath, heart getting stronger
But she finds herself behind glass, pounding
She’s stuck in a cage with nowhere to go

Staring through rubble, her world gets darker
Witnessing the world’s injustice, suffering
She hides, that is reality to her

Gunshots fire, “I’ve got to be stronger.”
She hears voices chanting, freedom calling
She’s still stuck in a cage, nowhere to go

In the darkest of nights, stars burn brighter
Than the rough waves or dark sky that’s looming
She knows, this is reality to her
It’s up to you what the world looks like

S.S.K.

Your poem reminds me of Rilke's panther. Here's a translation I made about 20 years ago:


The Panther
after Rainer Maria Rilke

His gaze has grown so weary
Of circling bars he sees
Nothing: an infinity
Of bars, no world but these.

His padded gait alone
Rounds the contracted stage:
A dance of might, a zone
Where will is numb with rage.

Now and then a film
Wipes his clouded eyes.
The image stiffens him,
Enters his heart and dies.