Captive, But Now Free

I was born - wrapped in feathers

Black as the midnight sky.

When I first opened my eyes, I saw my world,

Then it was quickly shut out

By iron bars on a black, dark cage.

My quiet life, my free life stopped. 

So recently born as a free bird

And now I was trapped between bars of metal. 

I was a young captive cockatoo. 

That was years ago

As a red-tailed black cockatoo chick.

But I was a fine specimen.

I was traded, bought and sold - a bird in slavery

Never able to see the sky for which I was named.

But now that I am free

I make decisions. 

I have no owner.

I am midnight

Cockatoo of the dark sky

Commander of my own destiny.