“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.”
― Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption
From pets stranded to the periphery of chains to birds in cages, the notion of freedom and love is a tainted image. As summer creeps in and the sight of pets tied to iron gates becomes a common sight, I wish those relaxing behind the gates in their air conditioned rooms spare a thought for the life that is there in vigil guard. As they feed the love birds in that silver cage and post the picture on Instagram or facebook, I hope in the flurry of comments someone shrieks and lets them know that there is neither poetry nor grace in cages.
Visited for years by birds, dogs and cows alike, my grandmother knows that it is not cages and chains that suffice but kindness alone. Feeding the canaries and kind for seasons on, birds have taken her shoulders for branches and sights like the image below aren’t rare.
Coming back to the Stephen King quote, let’s replace ‘some birds’ with ‘Birds’.
Very nice
Great article and so true. Of course ‘Birds’ can very well be exchanged with so many other animals.
You are right Hannah, birds could very well be an allegorical term here.