you once saw a bird
flying overhead
you remarked on her beauty
but she flew away instead
you once heard a bird
singing her sweet song
you didn’t know the words
but you sang right along
you once felt a bird
perched upon your shoulder
but she flew away
before you could hold her
you once saw a bird
and so you set a trap
you didn’t have to bait it
she just kept coming back
you once trapped a bird
and put her in a cage
you her only audience
though the world was her stage
you once poked a bird
because she would not sing
you offered her some jewelry
but a bird needs not a ring
you once saw a bird
and her color not so bright
you put more things inside her cage
to try to make it right
you once saw a bird
as she lay upon the floor
you wondered why she’s quiet
and not beautiful anymore
you once held a bird
as she died in your hand
when taking her last breath
you didn’t understand
you once saw a bird
flying overhead
you remarked on her beauty
but she flew away instead
Lacey Matheny is a 2015 West Liberty University graduate. She was born and raised in Moundsville, WV and spends most of her time writing and reading. At twenty seven years old she has published her first book and is working on her first novel. She writes poetry, but her first love is fictional short stories.