i know why the caged bird sings
there's an aged grandfather with creases all around his eyes,
like little streams and channels converging for his tears
or like constellation lines connecting speckled moles scattered across his face
i always see him crossing the street with his granddaughter, hand in hand,
with his free hand waving in the air
as if to ward away possible harms from his love
or to ask the world please please please don't ever let her cry rivers like mine
lately -- so tired & so trapped,
all i want to do is sleep and sleep
and wake up with glowy yellows seeping through my curtains
let my hair down
climb out my window
ride a bicycle with a basket of flowers and a jingly bell
barefooted
to fantasia!