The only legend I have ever loved is

The story of greed and a grateful sparrow.

A man was honest

His wife was full of greed

He found a sparrow hurt and scared,

Saved it. But his wife discovered it,

Slashed its tongue and chased it away.

The man returned and left to find the fowl.

The sparrow gave him a small reward;

The woman wanted more

And more she got.

Too much to hold until it crushed her.

As a tot, I mocked the wife who

Went to see the bird herself

Despite the harm she brought him.

Who would reward a spiteful hag?

Who would expect a gift?

As a child, I mocked the fowl who

Ate the seed,

Stayed too long,

Flew too slow–too late

Who would act so complacently?

Who would give gold to a bystander?

As a youth, I mocked the man who

Wed the woman

Angry, greedy, ungrateful.

Who would be so simple?

Who would choose to stay?

As myself, I mock the tot who

Believed the world was hers

As myself, I mock the child who

Lacked gratitude for her beloved

As myself, I mock the youth who

Chose to remain silent in times of

Fear and

Trouble.

For now, I mock the wife, the bird, the man, and me.