Captive

When one submits to caring for caring's sake. Based on a conversation I had in Malta about an ex-pat who was a talented musician.

Captive

You're a prisoner

in a gilded cage,

a bird trapped

not by bars

but by duty.

A beautiful canary

whose song would

defy sirens

and capture the heart

of any man.

But his madness

and his creativity

shackle you.

His gentility,

frailty,

his generosity

and his unique

eccentricity

are the walls

which confine you

to trade your heart

and commit yourself

to a life of

joyful servitude.

 

04/06/15

Reviews

[revalatia]

Powerful. You did a great job using incarceration as metaphor for the proverbial ties that bind. Well done. Thank you for sharing.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

many thanks

[Kshitij Gupta]

Loved the way you've put this together! Brings out the harsh reality and very relatable.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks

[R Smith]

I think back to a time when I was living a life of caring for such a fragile person, she had a way of making me feel I had to continue to serve her and my ever loving family felt i should too (saved them from doing it) it was though in those times i was able to write a lot more, so some compensation for those lost years, Thank you John, if you make me think (always difficult for me) then you have written very well but then you always do :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Richard and I am sorry you had to endure it.

[sereenaoutloud]

Great write, i think in marriage these lines can get blurred at little. To stick through a loving marriage the good and bad times and honor your vows can be a good thing but to stick by a loveless marriages that is unhealthy out of duty a bad thing!! A very fine line i think!!
Brilliant write and metaphor use!! :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Nothing dear Sereena in life is simple to determine these days. But years ago people stuck at it whereas now they give in TOO easily. Many thanks.

[sereenaoutloud]

I agree , some people give up way too easily and miss out on what could mean so much more !! :)

[Leslie Philibert]

Yes, a good look at the tension between freedom and duty, in a broad sense, and I liked the tip about the background, well done.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Leslie.

[andrew mitchell]

A duty of care. A duty with honour. That's life tough it is!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Andrew, Indeed. Thank you.

[wordman]

a man of honor,how few of us would fit.a great write with a beautiful theme

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you WM

[wordman]

you are welcome

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it's the kind of confinement that doesn't feel like confinement...it is what we want, because we love, no matter what.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Love can at times be overshadowed by a sense of duty. Those who believe in marriage vows (few these days) understand what they mean and often stick with it through thick and thin. Thank you Jacob.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...beautiful writing, John...I love the connotations to the canary. It is morning there in the UK? It is just after midnight here...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ha missed this till now tis now just after 11:00 here and 03:00 where you are. Thank you for this lovely review Kelly