Sparky's Freedom

Sparky sat on a perch
   [in a cage]
I wanted to set him free
but the plethora of bells and mirrors
told me he was accustomed to comfort,
that liberty would give a cat an easy meal

So I pondered
What makes us imprison,
what drives us to bind
those we care for
placed in chains,
in concrete panopticons
or insecure emotions.

Still, some don’t see the bars,
they can’t see our souls are strait-jacketed,
our homes are becoming prisons,
more choice brings  financial burdens,
democracy means repressing opinions
and 50 hours a week for the over-mortgaged.

And as I thought upon this,
I wondered what really was the case
Who was imprisoned, who was freer…
was it Sparky, or was it me?