Gilded Cage

The music included was my sister's favorite song, it held new meaning after I lost her...

found my place among the ashes of old memories & photographs

starry nights hold no sparkle, the moon shines on another galaxy

music doesn't sound the same, butterflies failed to flutter their wings

i tried to smile the tune to your favorite song, 

notes turned into tears, shadowed meanings drifted 

clouds of haze lined in pain where silver was once a hue

bloodied roses set you free on that fateful day

I landed in the gilded cage with a bird of no voice

we kept each other company praying for a song

to lift our wings and breathe new life

imprisoned within this shelter it grew louder

not enough room to harbor two heavy hearts

living had become darker than death

i shut you out without flight

you surrendered nary a fight

the cage bars lifted

       ~~~as you trailed off I heard a whispered hush of singing

                                  'nobody cries, there's only butterflies'

Author's Note

Reviews

[Horizon K.]

... Notes turned into tears... I can't even imagine, how heavy it must feel to even breathe, how painful to hear a song or the sound of some disconnected laughter... If I lost my own sister. This poem is so terribly sad while beautifully wrought. My heart to you dear Frieda, for your tragic loss...

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much for your kindness Horizon, much appreciated...

[emmajoy]

Why, oh why does abject misery birth such beauty. Feel this so deeply because .. can't write more for now. ((You)) Those last two lines are ..

[Frieda P]

Much appreciate your kindness, as always Emma, you have a huge heart. xo

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this one brought watery eyes with which to watch the butterflies.

[Frieda P]

My sister was mad about butterflies...I think she flutters by on occasion, thanks jacob.

[icelandicblue]

I was touched by your beautiful tribute. Nothing, nothing is the same, even the most mundane of things. My sister lost her son a couple of years ago at the age of 19 and the music reminds me of sitting in her car with her as she played this song full tilt- she said it was her anthem. It speaks to your loss and the echo of those memories that comfort and haunt.

[Frieda P]

What a terrible loss, just in the prime of life...no one should have to feel this kind of pain, thanks blue.

[Veronica Chandler]

This piece took me to the center of the place your words created, a place without your sister where, "music doesn't sound the same,
butterflies failed to flutter their wings
i tried to smile the tune to your favorite song, ..."
You just pulled me in to the "missing" someone place, and then brought me back with,
" 'nobody cries, there's only butterflies'"
Beautiful...just beautiful...

[Frieda P]

Everyone is always telling me my sister would have never wanted me to be sad, and I'm sure that's true, some days are just much harder than others, thanks so much Veronica.

[Veronica Chandler]

Some days are harder than others, and I venture to guess she would have had some hard ones too if the roles were reversed.

[Frieda P]

xo

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Lovely, love all words expressed, an engaging piece, I enjoy reading it. Thanks Frie.

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much Marc.

[Forgotten]

Beautiful Frieda, brought a tear to my eye. It's hard for alot of people to know how it feels to lose someone so dear, I lost two brothers and a sister, all of which I'll never meet, it brings pain to my heart, but I could never have written about it so beautifully as you have. Great job

[Frieda P]

I can't handle one John, I can't hardly imagine, thanks so much for your kind thoughts.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A powerful and magestic piece, I rather like the way you yeild to the reader in this one, letting us make up our own ways within the piece, welll done good read.

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much for your kindness Thomas.

[Rita L. Sev]

Frieda, this is such a beautiful poem, every line a chord to accompany the angels. I could tell you that your imagery is amazing (it is), or that your metaphors spot on (they are); but what I really want you to know is that you have touched me deeply, in knowing something of your loss and in recalling my own. Poetry is: symbolism, catharsis, soul sharing, passion... No one understands this better than you do. Thank you for sharing, friend.

[Frieda P]

You've touched my heart with your kindness Rita, I can't say more. x

[Yellow Butterfly]

Oh my... Fp this truly tugged on my heart strings.... I feel your pain and anguish in every word you have beautifully penned...

♥

[Frieda P]

Much appreciated YB. xo

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It's a while since you wrote of your pain. You never fail to amaze with your fantastic use of verse with jagged metaphors.

[Frieda P]

Oh you know John, the kraken will always rear it's ugly head when you least expect it.