The Price Of Freedom Poem by Bryan Taplits

A bird I saw just the other day
Its wings all frayed and dull,
It reminded me of high school days
(My Spring before the fall) .
So much energy I had in those days
So young and able and swift,
I recall my English teacher once applauded me,
"Don't confuse your bounding energy for wit."
Those hallowed days still stay tied to me-
I don't want to forget my life's early gift,
Because if no longer I have those memories
I can't confirm that "Yes! Once I really did live! "
I remember a girl (though I forget her name)
She left us all in her rapturous wake,
We were so close (I remember it well)
We became nearly betrothed-for each of our sakes.
Later, she unlocked my cage (and I opened hers)
This was more of an impulse or whim,
I remember what she told me, after the fact:
"We are still young;
and we both could use more of our freedoms."
I still think of her at times
(Darn! I wish I could recall her name)
When we were both giants-and arrogant fools,
When I was the King-and knew everything-
Back in purgatory….
Nestled and tucked in "High School."