like a canary in a cage
anyone can write the monday blues
how the fog maybe lifts by noon
smartphones unable to upgrade
all on their own
the list grows longer whether it’s
monday or not
liberty or death is
(a matter of) life and breath
invisible wounds like words
perhaps self-inflicted or
suspiciously accidental
there is an artist who really
knows for sure
but they aren’t playing in any
kind of rhythm and blues band
oh no they ain’t singing
like a canary in a cage
dreaming of the sky
december two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved