The Cage Is Not Empty

I found a bird

Injured and hurt

I carried it home

And nurtured it well

I put it in a cage of love and hope

To keep it safe from outside dangers

Promised to release it 

Once it gained its strength

Today the day has come

And the cage is empty

The bird has flown

Spreading its wings

Onto the open sky

Full of dreams and desires

But I am trapped inside the empty cage

With memories of those golden days

The time spent together

Though it was less

Has a special place in my life

She was the first bird I ever cared

And let it reside in my heart

Looking at the cage I could see

Tiny feathers, some uneaten peas

A bowl of water and the fragrance

Of our friendship together

A companionship that started

Without any conditions 

And so I ponder if the bird 

Will ever return back to me

Not to reside in the cage

But to visit 

For old times sake

So I always keep the cage door open

Never to close it again in the future

I also keep along with food and water

For her and the other birds to come and go

In their free spirit whenever

They wish to rest or visit

So even when the cage looks empty

It's full of love and hope