The Empty Cage
I am old now. My greatest failure is this empty cage that has sat in my living room all this time. My hubris was strong back then and I was confident we would grow old together. It is a beautiful cage, custom-made, the rods intertwined with delicate filigree, large and spacious with enough baubles and compartments to have kept him entertained. This is the life that I envisioned for us the first time I saw the moonlight reflected off his ink black wings. He would've been content here. My one of a kind barn Owl that would bring me joy while sitting in my rocking chair even as my end grew near. None of this came to be. I have been deprived of my happy ending.
