Caged bird no more

So, I had a long break recently. A break from TV, and from The Internet. Yup, I went offline. I wish I could say totally offline, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, right. No miracles. Let's just say I was mostly offline, and a tiny bit online. Yes, I realised: it is actually do-able to be offline for quite a long time (we are talking hours here, even some whole days!). And as shocking as it might sound: I confess: I enjoyed it! So did. It was this feeling that it was me... and the world, you know. And some real people. And it felt good that hardly anyone knew where I was or what I was doing. I didn't need to show or tell. The world and I - more than enough.

So, no tv, no internet, what did I do instead?

Well...

I went for walks to clear my mind,
for exercise, and to be kind

kind to my soul and body too
An offline day! Now what to do?

A chance To Be, to sense and see
the sky, the wind caressing me

To smile, feel free, just like a bird,
my own voice: only one that's heard

It tells me that it's Here and Now
that life is great, I told you so

Choose to be happy, strong and free
only You decide your destiny

oh, and go on -  take time to read a poem too!


Yes, that is what I did on my offline days. Feeling free, strong, happy. I socialised, And I did read some poems. The sense of freedom overwhelmed me. I did made this promise to my self: not to be caged. Ever. To always stay free, to think, act, laugh, love, talk, cry and make my life as I want it. That is freedom and that is what making friends with yourself is all about. Do always listen to that inner voice of yours. Choose your life and your freedom. Choose to be happy. Choose You.

One of the poems that I rediscovered was Caged Bird by Maya Angelou. May we always be free birds, with no cages even in sight:

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Have a lovely weekend - maybe an offline one? Then what will you do? Please share:-)