rebellious  birds pretend not to read

they walk on the grass

park bars can’t contain them

but a cage is safer

freedom has drawbacks

insurance premiums are high

lame ducks have no prospects

there’s the Law to contend with

gangs of goose-stepping bully pigeons

keeping sparrows in check

& confiscating crumbs

it’s not just paradise

blackshirt cats perpetrate terrorist campaigns

spring & summer sometimes desert

yet it has a lot to be said for it

no rules against singing

the sky’s always open