I am free, yet I am caged.

There are no wings with which to fly, so I am trapped on the ground, forever observing those lucky souls in flight above me.

Periodically, they look down at me with disdain, believing that I simply lack the courage to fly, not understanding that I have been stripped of the mechanisms necessary to flight.

I ache to tell them how I yearn to be one of them, how I, too, wish to be lifted away by the wind.

But there is no voice with which to speak, therefore we cannot cross the bridge of Understanding.

I begin to think I shall always remain less than, stuck here on the ground, and wonder where my life shall lead.

Regardless, I trudge on, wings clipped, heart bruised, and tear stained, but filled with resolve.

It may take longer, but I shall reach the same goals as my brothers and sisters in flight.

Though my feet may blister and grow weary among the rocks on dry land, I shall reach the mountaintop stronger and wiser than at the start of my journey.

I may be confined to the ground, but Progress can be made down here too.

And progress we shall.

 

I leave you with an excerpt from the great Dr. Seuss:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

…

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

…

Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

…

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

…

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
…

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!