brighteye

As a child I vividly remember trying to save birds that occassionaly had the misfortune of slamming into the large bay windows off of our living room. Sometimes death was quick and merciful. Usually they would just lay there stunned while neighborhood cats closed in to take advantage of their easy prey. But sometimes we would be home and my Mom and I would get a shoebox and line it with a small towel and carefully lift the injured bird into the safety of the box and place it away from harm on our porch. Eventually under our hopeful eyes, it would regain its senses and fly back to freedom.

Do you remember that feeling?



Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Like a fish on a hook
Like a knight from an old fashioned book I have saved all my ribbons with thee

And if I have been unkind
I hope that you will just let it go by
And if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you

Like a baby stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me

But I swear by this song
By all I have done wrong I'll make it all up to you

I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch
He called out to me " Don't ask for so much "
And a young man leaning on his darkened door
He cried out to me " Hey, why not ask for more "

Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

"Bird on a Wire"-Johnny Cash