The Sparrow

[dara.cv]

I tried to contain it,
but that wild sparrow would never settle.
Only it's migration was predictable,
though, from where it came
or when it would return was unknowable.
Sometimes it would find me and flit its wings over my vision
into a blinding blurred frenzy,
then disappear in that same instant.
Other times it would linger
perching upon my shoulder in silence
until it became weightless.
Until, I didn't recall it was there at all.
It became a familiar companion
of which it’s arrival or leave became natural,
to the point of being unnoticeable to me.
Even here it finds me.
Fluttering in,
landing within my coupled hands,
causing them to shake with panic.
Though I want to stifle it,
instead, I find myself only able to enfold it
clasped within my palms
until it retreats to sleep.
Sometimes it soars in without warning
scratching at my face,
clawing at my sides,
pecking at my ears
while Im hunched
until it lets out a shrill shriek
of absolute hatred against itself.
No use looking out the window.
You can't see the sparrow coming.
Besides the barren tree calls to it
reminiscent
to that first sparrow,
called Rage,
which caged me here.