I remember once,

Driven by a foreign fire, 

Came away from my coop,

And stole into the reality I so admired.

The road stretched narrow,

While the sun fell still.

My backbone shivered,

Tickled by the alien thrill.

I saw before me a seashore man,

Numb, marooned into nothing.

A dead man hanging crisp in the ether,

Ready for the plucking.

I reached my hand out,

Found myself touching his grave

Knowing I could have saved him

Was what sealed the bars of my cage.

Weak and wounded,

Back to the herd, I flew.

Felt their warm welcome,

Bid adieu to the liberty I briefly knew.