The blue parrot is trying to peck
A way out of its cage
At the back of the living room.
It sees me and flaps its wings
Squawking my name.
I wonder if it might tear its wings off,
But I have become deaf
To its pain.
Its claws are trying to pull the cage away.
Pick, pick, pick.
Peck, peck, peck.
Who’s a pretty boy? it strains.
My insecurities and rage
Have made me too ugly to answer,
Except to throw a sheet over its cage.

Photo by Lukas from Pexels