Birdbrained

"Watch the birds fly".
She said to me,
& blinked her eyes,
smiling, self satisfied.
But they don't soar,
in empty skies,
they weave between concrete towers,
chimneys pouring smoke,
at all hours,
devouring,
the bright blue canvass,
with dark, grey fumes.

Seagulls glide past,
dirty, weathered blocks,
of flats, with light lit rooms.
Over washing lines with socks,
sheets blowing in the gloom.
Pigeons gather in flocks,
on windowsills to watch cartoons.
Starlings, Sparrows sing all night,
even when there is no Moon.
Streetlamps rearrange the light,
cycles,
now there's no respite,
for beast or fowl.
No more takes flight,
Minerva's Owl,
or foresight.
But it's alright,
for the TV tells us so.
Let it nurture you,
and grow,
in the ways we tell you to.
In the ways that you are shown.
Shop! Be Happy!
Fill your home,
With pictures of a World long gone.
Tell yourself that you are free,
convince yourself that what you see,
is simple, right, & filled with beauty.

Don't look deeper,
or bring others down.
Don't wake the sleeper,
dreaming in your towns.
We've woven you,
a rainbow gown,
to keep you warm,
a golden crown,
to wear with pride.
We give you clowns,
and music stars to entertain.
Be like the Birds,
and be Birdbrained.