I have been asked many times to the meaning of this work. It is subtle. This is a relationship poem, written from the point of another person seeking to cage and control someone. That particular mockingbird has escaped the cage, but still carries the memory....

(A Pantoum poetic form)

Silly, silly mockingbird...
Did you think that you could fly?
Your own song is so absurd
Why did you even try?

Did you think that you could fly?
You were not meant to sit in a tree.
Why did you even try?
You were never meant to be free.

You were not meant to sit in a tree
Did you hate the cage I made?
You were never meant to be free.
Why even try such a charade?

Did you hate the cage I made?
You should never look to the moon.
Why even try such a charade?
You aim too high, too soon.

You should never look to the moon.
Must I cover your cage now?
You aim too high, too soon.
Will this sillyness you disavow?

Must I cover your cage now?
Mockingbirds were not meant to sing.
Will this sillyness you disavow?
You have always been my plaything.

Mockingbirds were not meant to sing.
Why won't you silence your song?
You have always been my plaything.
Why even allow your heart to long?

Why won't you silence your song?
Your own song is so absurd.
Why even allow your heart to long?
Silly, silly mockingbird....