A big bird
Forced into a tiny cage
Stares out of the window
Singing the same song
Every day and night
The passersby
Admire its beauty
And its melody
Not understanding
That it comes
From pure pain
For it wants nothing more
Than to fly away
And be free
But here it sits
For the amusement of those nearby
A big bird
Forced into a tiny cage
Have you ever felt like a big bird in a small cage singing the same song over and over again? If your answer is yes, join the club.
I don’t feel like this all the time. But when I’m feeling down or suffocated, I occasionally feel like a big bird in a small cage. I wasn’t sure how to exactly describe this feeling. But recently I had my music on shuffle and “Big Bird In A Small Cage” by Patrick Watson began playing. I hadn’t heard the song in years but I could still very much relate to it. And that is what inspired this poem.
I think if we’re honest, most of us feel stuck sometimes. Whether physically, mentally, emotionally or in other ways. We all know that feeling but the best part of life is that things change and over time things will improve. Not always for everyone but for many.
Have you ever felt stuck? Let me know in the comments below because I would love to hear your thoughts. Or simply stop by and say hi!
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I believe that all of us feel caged in at times. I felt caged in during all three of my marriages. Trapped. I’m glad that it’s long-since over…
Yes, I think everyone experiences these feelings one way or another. Glad you’re out of those situations. Marriage can definitely make you feel that way sometimes.
Never again, Pooja. It’s a lonely life but better than feeling like I’m in a trap.
Sometimes it’s better to be alone than stuck with the wrong person.
100 percent!
I feel stuck in life and stressed out. I feel like I’m not helping anybody or even myself and I just annoy people with my banters and when I say things, people hate it but other people can say the same things and my peers love it.
I can’t talk about anything without doubting myself and I know it’s not going to change or improve because people are the same everywhere.
I just feel like trash and I feel sad all the time and I’m tired of talking about my issues in person and being annoyed. I don’t want to share my personal views because I end up feeling bad and overall I just don’t want to do anything. I am tired and taking my life is not an option because I don’t want to figure out anything, I just want to feel better.
Your comment made me think of this song Anyway by Martina McBride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uLtyzRgmyI
Sounds nice. Thank you for sharing it to me, I like the lyrics.☺️
Good times are ahead
Talk to someone whom you can trust, or talk to a professional.
I’ve been to therapists and professionals and I don’t feel like they understand me or are truly understanding what I’m saying and listen to 2% of what I’m saying and then blame me. I cannot help being slightly “different” and not wanting to do what others do and just doing what I hate without complaining even if it hurts.
I don’t have people that care enough about my problems to listen to them without getting antsy and frustrated and fussing at me that it’ll be ok and giving me lousy Ted Talks speech or they just shut down when my problems don’t instantly solve when they open their mouth and give me suggestions.
What’s even worse is that all of them find me stupid and assume I haven’t done things to try to help myself (usually these people hardly take care of themselves anyway) because my life isn’t perfect so they’ll give me suggestions and when I say I did them and it didn’t work, they’d risk ruining their reputation by not believing me or having a borderline fit because I didn’t magically fix my issues. Words are not panaceas; it seems like I’m just sitting on my butt doing absolutely nothing but I am actively trying but like everything in human society, if one doesn’t succeed, they aren’t trying enough and their work is not enough.😉
I completely relate.
What works for me is allowing myself to feel all the feels, let it weigh on me as i think through it and then I pray. Because I find that I can’t let go of the weight if I can’t accept that it’s there.
Maybe check out my first (second maybe) post. It may make more sense to you. Especially that part about being different and not wanting to do what others do.
I really hope you find the solution to it.
I hope you can find someone who can listen to you and understand you more importantly.
I’m available for conversation, please feel free to reach out. I will not give you any unsolicited advice, but will listen to you patiently dear friend.
I hope you find the sunshine 🔆
Thank you.☺️
I’m so sorry you feel that way. I was like this when I was younger and it sucks. And honestly sometimes it does happen that when you say something people hate you for it but someone else says it and they love it. It’s not a you problem when this happens. It’s them that are the problem not you.
Thank you.😵💫 I just don’t understand it nor ever will.🙂
It must be a common feeling. I have felt the same. Then I pull out of it.. and sometimes I too go back to that feeling.
It may be unavoidable for some – like a little roller coaster of life, but would we not appreciate freedom if we didn’t know this pain?
That’s true, sometimes pain makes the freedom even sweeter.
Yep.
I felt stuck before, it was bad. Now feeling stuck feels a lot easier, not as dramatic as it used to be. I do a lot more to get unstuck and it helps of course. I am the captain of my ship and the master of my soul. Yet right now I feel stuck because I am home due to sickness, but it’s nothing like being really stuck in life for months and months like in a stale relationship or a toxic job. Looking back I see a huge progress I made using coping strategies and making good choices. And being lucky!
I’m glad it’s become easier over time. I’m glad you’re making progress!
me too
Relatable feeling 🙏🩶
Glad to hear it’s relatable and I’m not alone in feeling this way 😊
I think what we long for when we are feeling trapped sometimes is a sense of freedom.
Kris Kristofferson’s song Me and Bobby McGee has the lines, “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose. Nothing ain’t worth nothing, but it’s free.”
When we are attached to a person, place, thing, lifestyle or way of doing things, we lose our sense of freedom. I think the essence of many religious teachings is helping us understand this.
It is what we had as a child because, in most cases, everything was taken care of, and we always had a safe place to rely on, so it seems natural to want to return to that.
I love that song, although I prefer the Janis Joplin version.
I agree, attachments make us lost certain freedoms and we crave our youth when we were truly free and had no real responsibilities.
I think i sometimes had this feeling when my family was young. Now, Alhamdolillah, I don’t feel like that. A very big advantage of growing older.
I’m glad you no longer feel this way. Yes, I think as we get older we become more secure with where we are in life.
Thanks! Yes that’s really good part of growing older.
My pleasure and that’s one thing I look forward to with growing up.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Relatable
Thank you.
I’ve felt like that my whole life and am continuing with that feeling because of numerous reason. The good news is that soon I’m going to be free from this cage and take my flight in the open sky!!
In case you didn’t noticed, ‘aliferous’means WINGED creatures, and freedom from the shackles is a major reason for my existence on wordpress.
Loved the poem, you’ve described it so well. 💕
Oooo 💕 you got this!
Thanks so much 😊
So glad you’re going to be free soon, cherish that moment and the feeling of it!
Indeed! 😊
You’re welcome💕
I think all of us feel caged sometimes!!
Yeah, I think so too!
It becomes complex when we understand the nature of these cages. Some are not necessarily the result of others but ourselves.
Pride, for example, is a dangerous cage. Learning to be vulnerable with ourselves and accepting that we don’t know everything can allow us to break free and spread our wings.
I love your poem. Its clear that the bird is simply too big for the cage, it is is unnatural, it does not belong there. Just like we don’t belong in our cages either.
🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊
Yes, I agree. Some cages are created by ourselves and others are forced on us. Pride is one of the worst ones. Knowing that we are imperfect and know very little actually compared to all the knowledge out there definitely is a good thing. It keeps us grounded.
Thank you so much 😊
I do feel caged like I’ve got a billion things to do but a lot of things just seem to wear me down leaving me in one spot🥲
I get you.🫂
I know that feeling, hope you feel less stressed out soon.
What a beautiful poet you are 👏🏻👏🏻
Love it.
I don’t feel like a bird in a cage, but I feel trapped. As if my mind has stopped working. As if there’s something that’s making me negative and gloomy all the time 😐
Thanks so much 😊
I’m sorry you feel that way. Have you got your thyroid checked because thyroid symptoms sometimes mimic symptoms of depression.
No I don’t have thyroid issue.
I feel like my mind is blank sometimes. I sit infront of computers and get clueless.
I have tons of ideas for blogs, for my site, what to do.
But I don’t know I get scared and I feel numb
I’m sorry to hear that. I have an anxiety disorder and those sound like similar symptoms I’ve experienced. I would really recommend talking to a professional.
Hmmm
I keep avoiding it, but I think I must visit a psychologist now.
Nice one Pooj. There are so many bars on our cages – cultural, religious, political, social. We’re all contained by the pressures to conform to sets of values. Living with others creates more restricyions. Freedom is a word I never use without thinking.
Yes, unfortunately so. When we live in a society/community there are always pressures to conform.
I admire.🤍
Thanks so much 😊
Eloquent poem💖 Everyone In someway can relate to this poem
Thank you so much 😊💕
life tends to do that… caged moments I call it.
beautiful poetry as always, Pooja🤍✨
Thank you so much 😊
my pleasure 🤍
I had this feeling eleven years ago, before I keft the UK. I believe if we really listen to our inner voice, we can be guided to do what’s necessary to escape our temporary cages, our body also tells us when we are in the wrong place or situation..do we even receive guidance from higher sources? I ask myself this often..the thing is, if we close our ears or are not in tune with ourselves, we may stay caged far longer than we need to. Great post :))
I very much agree and that’s why it’s so important to be in tune with ourselves and listen to the universe when it guides us. Thanks so much.
I felt like that when I worked in an office with other people. That’s why I’m self-employed. I like to call my own shots. I’m not a team player. I like to be free and fly at my own pace. 🙂
Great poem and beautiful song. Thank you 🙂
I’m self-employed for the same reasons, I like having control over my work.
Thank you so much.
seven birds
cage was wired but open
they fought for top dog cat bird seat
how neat
but the low rung
flew free
free like a bird
on dry ground
soared and took a look around~
Really well written.
credit john michael poirier
When we hide our feelings, we think we’re in them alone. But surprisingly, we’re never just the only ones going through something and feeling stuck in it. It helps to talk about it because as much as you may be feeling stuck, there’s stages to it and people who’ve navigated and come out the other side, and some who are just beginning to feel like the big bird in a tiny cage, who may need to know they’re not alone. This was a lovely piece.
Thanks so much. I very much agree, talking to people we trust helps a lot. And it reminds us that we’re not alone.
Technical feedback here 😅 it looks like there’s supposed to be a YouTube video on the bottom of your post but it says it can’t be located.
Oof, hope it works now. The Reader always messes up my travel posts 😫
I’ve felt that way many times in the past, especially during Covid. I try to shake feelings that I don’t like by keeping busy and listening to music.
Keeping busy and listening to music definitely helps a lot. Music is a really great escape from those negative feelings.
Wow!!! This is a really powerful one Pooja…loved it!
Thank you so much! 😊
Your poetry is lovely, Pooja. Thank you for sharing it. It made me think and it made me a little upset. That is the best possible response! 😁
Thanks so much and I appreciate the response!
Good one 👍 👏 👌
Thanks so much 😊
awwwww the poor bird. Gripping and visual poetry Pooja! Nicely done! That’s why I let mine out of the cage a lot. It ended up getting eaten tho sadly!
Thanks so much! Oh no, that’s sad. But that happens with birds 😭
I read comment after comment waiting on someone who took this poem literally. Yes most of us feel boxed in and it sucks but think about the animals, animals that forced to be away from their natural habitats.. those poor little things. Free them! Thanks Cindy.. better off that bird eaten (perhaps that was its purpose) but it was free at last.
I sooo agree and yes, a fast ending and one bad second is the way to go. Great job! 💞
I always feel sad to see animals confined but you have made a good point and that is people can be caged through circumstances and most times they don’t feel like singing.
Yes, I think people can be caged too just in a different way.
Very true. Being stuck in a small cage. Also possible to be stuck in a big cage and feel trapped as well.
True, sometimes large cages can be suffocating too.
Nice poem. Only those who have pain can understand it, others can’t understand it.
Thanks so much. Yes, only those who experienced it understand.
Yeap! That’s me in a nutshell. I have always felt like I am being locked up in a cage. This poem hits hard.
Sorry you feel this way too. Hopefully one day we’ll both be free.
Girl this really made me stop and think! What a great yet sad poem.
Aw thanks!
You’re welcome!
Very Dark But always remember you have the key to that cage if you want it 🤣😎🙃
Thanks! 😅
I literally get your poem. I felt caged for so many years due to circumstances in my life. I felt like I would never be free, but one day the door to that cage opened and I flew from that cage. I could not let those circumstances keep me caged and bound, literally stagnant. Now things are getting better one day at a time. Good things are happening for me that I thought never would. Now I can sing again. Now I can smile again. I now know that there are better days ahead of me that I can’t wait to explore. Great poem. Thanks for sharing it with us. Have a great weekend.
I am so proud of you for flying out of the cage. And look at you now, you’ve achieved so much. Thank you and have a great weekend too.
I will be starting college next month on the 26th. It will be online. I will be attending the medical college CHPC College of Health Care Professions based out of Houston,Tx. I will keep you posted.
That is wonderful, congratulations.
Thank you. I just finished my orientation. I received my certificate for that . I am going to post a picture of it so you can see it.
That’s great, let me know when you post it. I definitely want to see it.
I have posted it. I finished it this morning a little bit before 6 before the sun came up. I am literally exhausted. I also posted an advertisement for the school this morning. Tell me what you think.
Oh great, I’ll go check.
Ok
Great poem! I think this is relatable, especially if you’ve ever been at a job you don’t enjoy.
Thank you! True, jobs you don’t enjoy can be like cages.
I use to imagine escaping from one of my former jobs like it was a prison escape. Lol.
I feel like many people feel that way, unfortunately. That’s why I decided to work for myself lol. Too bad I’m a horrible boss.
Lol. I am also my own boss. It’s much better.
Yeah, it’s just easier that way. The only toxic colleague is yourself lol.
Lol. The office gossip, with yourself, about yourself, is a lot more fun, too.
Absolutely 😅
Yes, I feel the same way sometimes. Actually if one has narcissistic relatives, it feels like being stuck in a small cage with other birds who peck on one’s feathers. LOL.
True, I always feel suffocated at family events when certain narcissistic relatives are around.
Sometimes I find I’m both stuck and overwhelmed at the same time. When I’m like that, it’s time to hit reset
I know that feeling, it’s really tough to get out of that feeling.
Oh yes I have felt stuck or held back many times in my life. And I think most of the time it was when I was in a relationship with someone. You feel more held back because you have to take their thoughts and feelings into consideration a lot. That’s not always a bad thing but if you don’t get to do what you enjoy also it can feel that way. Good poem Pooj.
True, it happens more in relationships since your decisions affect both of you.
Thanks so much.
My pleasure
I think we all feel this way sometimes.
However, it’s vital to understand that everything is transient, including all unpleasant feelings.
I really loved the poem 🌺
I absolutely agree, nothing lasts forever. Thank you 😊
I like the poem. The one thing that has stood out for me from the bird in a cage is that even if it can move, it can still see beyond where it is.
Yes there are times I feel stuck, and it’s usually a signal that I need to adjust a few things.
Thanks so much. True, sometimes it can mean we need to make some changes.
Hii pooja
Hi!
Where are you from?
I’m Kenyan.
Great