O meadow lark, so wild and free, <br />It cannot be, it cannot be, <br />That men to merchandise your spell <br />Do close you in a wicker hell! <br /> <br />O hedgerow thrush so mad with glee, <br />it cannot be, it cannot be, <br />They rape you from your hawthorn foam <br />To make a cell of steel your home! <br /> <br />O blackbird in the orchard tree, <br />In cannot be, it cannot be, <br />That devils in a narrow cage <br />Would prison your melodic rage! <br /> <br />O you who live for liberty, <br />Can you believe that it can be, <br />That we of freedom's faith destroy <br />In dungeons, innocence and joy? <br /> <br />O decent folk who read this page, <br />If you should own a bird in cage, <br />Throw wide the door, - God gave it wings: <br />Then hear how in your heart it sings!<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/captivity/
