Let Me Handcuff You

Based on “Bird At Dawn, February” by Jason Barabba

Loose and way past their prime

Hanging down their rusty knots

Into the bushes of wild violets

Mercilessly combing gentle

Messengers of springtime

Their subtle, fragrant serenity

Hanging by an invisible thread

As thick as spider’s wire

Because you only grasp it

Once it is irreparably lost

But it was all in vain

Just like those rubber boats

Floating desperately straight

Into the boa constrictor

Of our port authorities

Welcoming you with

Pomp and pageantry

And velvet handcuffs

Because we here in Europe

We’re too nice to cuff you

With rusty barbed wire

We’re all out, call it luck

Sounds better than mercy