The shadows grip and squeeze

until I collapse with a snap!

Stifled by the hushed quiet of

a long forgotten dream.

My carved smile has faded

in time with the colors and music,

but still I wait for the mercy of your eyes

when you open my cage

and twist me back to life.

I unfurl to a melody that

you’ve imbued with hope

if only to fouetté ur troubles away.

But for a few twin

kling

mo

ments

atop my ceramic stage

I am free,

No longer lonely.