A caged bird

When freedom is taken away

One's needs looked after any way

None is poor, and a few rich

Rest all are in the middle way

Pride of motherland keeps one going

Though the wings are clipped half way

To fly but a little and then pulled down

So that no one dares to go its own way

Slog and dance as the master wants

What you want matters not

Your movements under watch

Swallow your thoughts, express them  not

They speak on your behalf

You authorise them or not

Open not your mouth

Lest you are caught

Treason be the charge

There is no escape at all

What is this all

You have no control

Over your own thoughts

Left hand snoops

What right hand does or not

Alas! How long will it last

A caged bird for long

With sad and heavy heart

Loses its zest to live

Before it is too long

If lucky it is

It shall slip away

When cage door is loose

And the master looks away

Home is a home

Where lives one's heart

And his mind free

With its thoughts

A little will do

But my freedom

Cut it not short

My life is my own

Answerable to him

I am every moment

I dance on my feet

A song on my lip

With a grateful heart

Thank God! A caged bird I am not!