The Creature with Wings

I sit alone in this locked cage waiting patiently in the darkness. I'm not sure where the key's gone or what I'm waiting for except to be freed. I'm not sure who put me here, but it doesn't matter. I hum while I stare into the dark. Sometimes, I can go outside my mind to float through the iron bars. I find vibrate colors, and experiences I can't feel. I always return. I can only imagine how the experiences should feel if I were free.

I lay on the cold floor of this cage waiting for the end. I hear a shuffle in the darkness. It's becoming louder. There's something here with me. I frantically sit up and call out, “Hello! Is someone there? “

A creature I cannot see answers,” Lovely, what are you doing here in this cage?”

Surprised I take a minute to reply, “How do you know I'm lovely it's so dark in here?”

Creature, “I see your soul, and I think you might have wings. Can I lean against your cage and rest some time? I'm tired. This world is exhausting. And I seek the darkness to find peace.”

I eagerly recant, “Wings? Never mind. Yes, please stay. It's so lonely here in the dark.”

I quietly think to myself, “I haven't seen the world. I've only been in this cage.”

The creature stays and talks for days. I'm so happy it's here with me. The creature's calm voice soothes my weariness. I look forward to these conversations, because I forget that I'm alone. I think it's love, but I don't think I know what love is. I confess to the creature that I've never seen the world even though I've been on so many trips I cannot feel. I confess I love its voice. I want to see its face.

The creature agrees then it steps away from the cage.

As the creature moves away from the cage all the room illuminates. I fall to my knees blinded by the light in utter disorientation. I catch hold of my face to hide my eyes from the light. I slowly uncover one eye at time. I'm surrounded by vast blueness in the sky and green mountain ranges for miles. Beautiful birds soar overhead. I wasn't in a room at all. I look out toward the direction of the creature to see its face. He's not a creature at all, but an angel. The indescribable beauty of a familiar face. His skin fair, his expansive wings absolutely white, and his eyes so blue glistening in the sun. He looks upon me and a fear consumes my every being. I dread that he might be leaving, because I am not an angel too. I beg him to come back over to my cage, but he ignores me. He sternly looks out upon the horizon with his back to me. I am petrified he's about to fly away. I grasp the bars screaming for his gaze, “Don't just leave me tell me your name. What a demon to accompany me in the darkness then just leave me here.”

He flashes his gaze back to scold, “The cage is in your mind. How can I stay after you called me a demon. Call me when you come out this cage and dust off your dirty broken wings. I've never met such a dark angel. No wonder you're lurking here.”

The angel mutters as he walks away, "I was only trying to think of a way to open your cage even though you have the key." The light slowly fades as he walks away, because it was the radiance of his soul that illuminated the scene.

I am left in the dark and I realize I'm the one who put myself here. I'm waiting for someone that cares to pull me out of my own cage, so I'll hand them the key. But in the meantime, I'll be sitting here trying to mead my own wings.