The Princess And The Bird Poem by Dev Ashish

Its the story of a bird from a far far faraway land
So beautiful were its feathers, filled with rainbows
So wide the wings spread that it engulfed the sun
When he sang, nature used to dance with blissful joy
But unaware it flew straight into the hunters den
The hunter with a steady hand and skillful precision
Shot him down with a single arrow, injured it fell
Into the grovelling earth below writhing in pain
Fate it seems had different ideas planned for him
The hunter didnt kill him but saved him by medication
Valuing the prized catch, he presented him to the princess
The bird injured and weak yet stunningly beautiful as ever
Brought the hunter a wealthy sum as reward for his craft
But the story isn't about the hunter, it's the bird's story


The beautiful princess lonely in the vast castle of stone
Took good care of him, fed him, and loved him
He sang to her beautiful melodies mourning his destiny
Injured, he couldn't fly and he sat longing for the skies
The princess grew fonder and fonder of him and loved him
He couldn't help but like the princess, he loved her too.
Her love had bounded him in chains he couldn't break
His wings were clipped by his unconditional love for the princess
Days passed by and slowly he grew stronger again and deeply in love
He stayed faithful to her and didn't fly away from her
But his melodies grew mournful into heart wrenching ballads
Which made the mountains crumble and the skies cry in sorrow
Pained by his condition the princess asked him of his worries
He answered if not for love I would have flown away a long ago
And if not for love my journey would have completed a long ago
A journey which I began in search of freedom that took me
Across continents, across oceans and across the universe
Troubled the princess asked him where does his journey end
He smiled and said I wish I knew my love, I really wish!
The princess unable to see him suffer set him free of her love
And begged him in the name of love to go end of his journey
But promise to return to her thereafter for she will be waiting
He flew away with grateful tears in his eyes to end his journey
Days passed into months, into seasons and seasons into years
But he didn't return and the princess kept waiting for him
The bird was never heard of again in this world
The princess they say died heartbroken waiting for him to return
But he never returned from his journey that he went on


Ages passed and the story was forgotten by the people
One fine day he returned to that country laden with gifts
Gifts so wonderful and so beautiful that the world had never seen
People were in awe of this wonderful creature and his gifts
But deep inside they were afraid of this bird of prey
He kept singing out for the princess and she never came
The world had changed, the people didnot know him
In the dark of night, he was captured by the people and caged
Stripped of his beautiful feathers, bleeding in naked humiliation
In grief and lovelorn he surrendered meekly to his captives
He kept singing out to his princess everyday and every night
A little girl took pity on him and used to give him leftovers
One day she asked him where he came from
And whom was he searching singing those wonderful songs
He told his story and came to know her princess had died
Ages ago and she now lived in only in stories that none believed
The little girl asked him where did his journey finally end?
He answered my quest for freedom was over
The day I fell in love with the beautiful princess
But I was arrogant and too stubborn, I kept flying across
Across the world, across the planets and across the galaxies
Everywhere I went I saw beautiful things which reminded
Of the princess waiting for me and I kept them as gifts for her
Slowly I realised I wasn't free in spirit
Even though I was free in body to wander around
Her love still held me captive and my heart belonged to her
So I flew back with speed of time to be with her
But too late it seems, every second I spent away was a lifetime
The little girl asked him now that she is dead what will he do?
He had no answer but tears yet he smiled at her innocence
He sang her a sweet lullaby and sent her to peaceful sleep
From that day onwards, the country hasn't seen dawn
Lost in darkness and unknown to world, hidden in the universe
Somewhere as he waits for his princess to return!