There are events that move me to write.  Inspired, if you will.  While I was in the prison hospital a little black bird got into the ward.  How it got in is a mystery but the only way for it to get out was through a missing pane in the window of my room.  No body seemed to know what to do so I took an old bathrobe and herded the bird into my room and closed the door.  It was easy then to catch him and put him out the window.  Everyone talked about the bird for the rest of the afternoon.  I wrote a poem.  This one still chokes me up when I read it.

SO LONG LITTLE BIRD

From out of nowhere came

A busy black surprise.

A frightened little bird

Appeared before my eyes.

Round the room you flew,

Showing naught but fear.

Though I talked so soft,

You would not let me near.

You searched around the room,

Staying apart from me.

I knew from the start,

You wanted to be free.

When at last I trapped you,

You trembled, fearing it was the end.

Then I put you out the window,

Good-bye my little friend.

Right now I too am caught,

And though it sounds absurd.

I wish some one could let me go,

To fly.  So long little bird.

4/90 MICC