In a sunless room
A parrot on a perch
His chest picked bare
Returns my gaze
With a look of despair

But why is he there?
This bare-chested bird
With no power to fly
And leave my sight
Without a sigh

He tilts his head
With a look forlorn
As if to implore
That I might feel
The pain he bore

AJD 8/30/2018