The Sanctuary

Sanctuary

The bird had flown

Far from distant land

Where water froze

In the harsh winter

It had separated from

The rest of its flock early

For he was always lost

By taking abrupt turns

Finally the bird reached

The edge of the sanctuary

And decided to just pause

And rest upon the tall fence

After the rush of blood

Subsided, mind cleared

The bird took a glimpse

Perched at the high fence

It took the bird by shock

The two worlds he saw

Opposite sides of fence

The contradiction stark

One side was lush green

Trees and water reservoir

Other side for miles stretched

A human slum of slimy muck

One side with colorful flowers

And butterflies flirted around

Other side even childhood stolen

Everything traded for few notes

The bird could hear few friends

Upon branches of trees singing

Sharing joy under the blue sky

Other side only soot and smoke

The city made its blaring noises

Ugly car honks, factory machinery

Propaganda from loud speakers

Drilling and construction sounds

The people looking like zombies

Rushing to find any sustenance

In the bitter battle for few morsels

And promise of some sleep at night

But in the sanctuary guarded by walls

There was life unending night and day

All creatures were happily oblivious

Of the struggle and madness outside

The bird sat and thought for a while

Having seen the desolation outside

If he could really find any more bliss

In the protected life at the sanctuary

His innocence was no longer there

He had known too much to be smug

The bird then heaved a heavy sigh

And flew far away to find destiny