wingspan

after "Bluebird" by Charles Bukowski

as soon as i'm out the door
he's out there with me
won't stay
where i leave him
even with a blanket
over the cage
his voice is
louder than mine
and he sings over me

he won't stay inside
a cage
he makes sure
he's heard first
in broad daylight
even with headphones on
in crosswalks
or the self checkout line
when the person
behind me
looks up

he says
there's no use
putting me back
people are listening
the cage was never
the right size
you can't hide
in my wingspan

i say
keep it down
are you trying
to make a scene?
you're going to tell them
before i even
get a chance

he pauses
just long enough
someone looks up
then he keeps going