Two Birds in a Cage

A bird in a cage
With a friend by its side—
Together a lively pair;
Sweet chirps infused with light.
Bicker they did, yet I know
Angels come in winged forms.
Now may their journey be ever blessed
As Phoenixes reborn.

---

This is a reference to "A Bird in a Cage" (originally titled "Aspiration") which I co-wrote with a friend named Lee Chao back in 2013—and compared to which this poem is embarrassingly juvenile.

Dedicated to two precious baby birbs who left us much, much, much too early. I'm so sorry.

"Poetic Justice"

Baby's first Gundam;

The gallant Justice Real Grade!

Fome made me do it.

The first foot forward

Always trembles, uncertain.

Did I make this right???

Fresh Alum

I work on First Street.
It's been a few months, but it's not unfamiliar.
For four years, I went to school on Fourth Street.
And my parking garage is on Third.
Today's walk felt somehow different.
Were all these people always here?
Everywhere, backpacks and bright eyes,
Sprawling coffee shops and school pride.
My backpack now carries no books,
And my back only financial pressure.
I do carry a lunch pail though,
For the one break within the long day.
And it's a strange feeling.
Because I had a backpack too for 17 years.
But they started school without me.
Fucking identity crisis.



#notquitepoetrybut

The End of the Chapter

Is when the pen feels the heaviest.
Uncertain strokes on paper—
Too fast, too slow. A mess.
The nib's journey is done
Through roads of bliss and struggle.
The canvas is but bygones.
Time to lock up another easel.
--

Home

hears the laughter
of friends reunited
Home
sees the sorrow
beneath gleaming eyes sighted
Home
mends the heart
slyly stifled longing tricks
We're home,
once more flying
Like a freakin' G6.

Fuck. (#14-21)

A collection of faux-depressing poetry by Denny and Eva.

I swear I'm not lazy,
Not slacking on the sly.
Tired of giving pretense
When the boss walks on by.
Run out of things to check,
And no emails arrive.
There's no work to do,
But I need money to survive!!
Fuck.14


144p
Are you joking with me?
Fuck.15

Fuck. (#9-13)

A collection of faux-depressing poetry by Denny and Eva.

The bus just left

I'm out of breath

I tried to chase

It got away.

Fuck.9

Got shampoo, got soap
To scrub out all fouls
But of all things, why'd I
Forget to bring a towel?
Fuck.10

Fuck. (#1-8)

A collection of faux-depressing poetry by Denny and Eva.

[10:24:09 PM] Denny-♪.: gotta
[10:24:11 PM] Denny-♪.: put them together
[10:24:14 PM] Denny-♪.: in a tiny ebook
[10:24:17 PM] Eva: yes
[10:24:25 PM] Denny-♪.: THe little book of fuck
[10:24:30 PM] Denny-♪.: situations where one says fuck.


Round and round,
The fabrics play.
What could go wrong?
It’s laundry day.
But alas—hopes and linen alike fade.
A hoodie’s string has gone astray.
Fuck.1


Oh cookie round
oh cookie great
Oh grandest cookie on my plate

I did no harm, I did no ill
why won't you fit inside my milk?
Fuck.2


A drip,
a drop.
I slept, so I thought.
I lay, in bed.
I wouldn't move I said.
My dreams, they flee
I really need to pee.
Fuck.3


O trustworthy friend,
O colleague, o pal,
That hath borrowed my book,
And returned it now.
So glad it’s not lost;
My faith is relit.
But what is this?
You dog-eared this shit?!
Fuck.4


I tried my best, gave all I gave.

My laptop crashed.

...

Forgot to save

Fuck.5

I'm stuck, I'm trapped.
Forever in this hole.
I glanced, I gasped.

An empty toilet roll.
Fuck.6


Oh breakfast please,
I need you most.
I cannot eat
this soggy toast.
Fuck.7


An outfit nice,

An outfit plain.

A nice white shirt

But then it rained.

Fuck.8

Wishing you spoke up,
Showed that you cared,
Wishing to express,
Wishing to dare.
Then it's too late--
Damage done.
Regrets abound.
Insecurities won.

The Acceptance of Outdatedness: A Haiku

iPad attachment...

Fear of daily phone charging...

Lack of a smartphone.

Twenty

The age of twenty
Brings wearing a lie,
When you're seen as a teen
From unfamiliar eye.

But I'm no longer a teen,
And not yet an adult.
I'm having an identity crisis.
It's this awkward age's fault.

Friendshit

Thrown away
When needed not;
Loved
At convenience

A Bird in a Cage

THANK YOU LEE FOR WRITING A SEQUEL TO MY POEM, which was so inspiring that I felt like adding a 3rd part. This is fun! :D Poetry is so enjoyable to compose; I just wish I were more eloquent in it but that's probably not gonna stop me from trying anyway. |D;; I like expressing myself sometimes in this unconventional and ambiguous way.
[Edit: Added in the 4th and what I'm presuming to be the final part. Thanks Lee!! *A*]


A bird in a cage
With no will to fly,
Who aspires not,
Whose wings denied,
Feels neither longing,
Nor vexed, nor content;
Yet to be in this cage
This bird is meant.

A bird in a cage
Loses the will to fly.
White wings, full-fledged;
But the heart will deny.
Nowhere to run,
Wishing not to roam.
In this cage
This bird is home.*

A bird in a cage
Knows not how to fly--
Its wings inexperienced,
Its plight to deny
That skies can be soared;
Destination unfound.
Fearful is this bird,
And to this cage it’s bound.

A bird in a cage
Learns not how to fly
But to dream and to wish
Of worlds undefined.
For it has grown weary,
And used to the pain.
This cage is its life,
A perennial stain.*


*These stanzas are written by Lee Chao.

On a self-powered conveyor belt,
Machines wait to be oiled

Cookie-cutter perfection, no less
Lifeless, fantasies soiled

The path to adulthood

Aspiration

A bird in a cage
With no will to fly,
Who aspires not,
Whose wings denied,
Feels neither longing,
Nor vexed, nor content;
Yet to be in this cage
This bird is meant.

I Don't Want to Go Home

I don't want to go home,
says the child, out to play.
I don't want to go home,
whines the child, in dismay.
I don't want to go home;
the world's enchantment shan't betray.
Now I want to go home,
as childhood fades away.


(welp this just popped into my head suddenly and I had to jot it down; I'm still at work and very tired.)

Ode to Sleep

"Restless am I,

Awaiting your stay.

I am all yours,

As the night is spent away.

Soft is your touch,

That rings sweet like a song,

But why the fuck does this poem sound so wrong--"