I look around me and the golden bars glisten
Shining bright like Midas's temple as the sun strikes
They protect me from what is beyond them
The dangers and perils for someone small like me

Here I have everything I could wish for
Fresh water swirls in my ice white pool
My favourite foods in a never-ending supply
Treats on occasions keep my spirits high

A friend sits beside me, never interfering
I call him Percy but he never replies
He looks like me, he's company but different
Never moving, just nodding to and thro

A familiar face approaches beyond the bars
Eyes wide open, lips pursed then a smile
I sing to him, my voice, a blessing I was born with
He tries to sing back but he's not of my kind

I stretch out my limbs and wave them around
No result although I feel there should be
Maybe there is more to me. Am I unique?
Is there more to luxury and song

The other alien approaches, the face calls her fluffy
I feel afraid but don't know why
She can't hurt me, I'm safe here surrounded by gold
Like a castle under siege, they'll never get in

My bars get covered by a large dark veil
Like an eclipse the light has gone
Everything around me shudders although I am still
What is this? I'm afraid. This has never happened before

The darkness is lifted, the light returns with a welcome
But this is different, there is now a warmth in company
A soft wind smothers me with this heart lifting feeling
What is this place, I like it

I look beyond the bars and the horizon differs
I can see for miles. Have I a super-power?
Trees, shrubs, grass, flowers. I've never seen them before but recognize them
Is this a reincarnation or my mind playing games

Although different and exciting I'm still safe
Inside my home all is the same
My pool shines with a different glint but still the same
Percy is still quiet, maybe he's taking it all in

Then beyond I see a sight that astounds me
Reflections of myself, my own kind, my kin
My heart races, I'm not alone, I'm not unique
Can they see me? Is the excitement shared?

I call out, I sing, my voice on the wind
They hear and call back, contact is made
Their voices, their songs, they sound so much sweeter
They sing with joy, love and freedom

Then I see danger, fluffy is prowling
My new friends must be warned, I call out again
With a flap of their limbs they disappear in a flurry
Fluffy strolls off, dejected and sombre

I want to go with them but I can't
My golden bars that protect me won't allow it
I want to sing sweet like they did with happiness and joy
I've answered my question, there is more to me

I now know the truth, there are millions like me, my kind
Who come and go when they like, with spirit in their voices
Beyond the bars of gold where there is danger and peril
With with many others who look out for their well being

My pool doesn't glisten like a pond or a stream
My never-ending supply of food is never different
It doesn't grow wild or live under soil or bark
My treat is a last meal on a timeless loop

I've seen what I want and know what I am
Like Percy, I'll never be free from this place
I'm here to entertain others, on their terms not mine
I'm a prisoner behind bars of glistering gold.