[sc_embed_player autoplay=true fileurl=”https://bypapi.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Blackbird_16.mp3″]

Everyday peering … out through an exhaustive pattern of steel
Searching … for a portion where window stains are transparent
Endeavoring to comprehend … why the things I see are real
Phantasizing … but realizing that life … is apparent

Sulking … in the useless idea of deploring incarceration
Each day longing … for freedom – but wondering its definition
Astounded at the world and its futile participation
Acknowledging … everything – allowing ALL … recognition

Beyond these bars, “The FREE-WORLD” … to translate confused conception
For it is a misleading society – democracy and the American way of life
Constantly evaluating circumstances and discovering plight deception
I remain puzzled at God’s omnipotence – that’s funny – also about my wife

Pondering my life a struggle, exaggerating ideals I’ve heard
Witnessing … another struggle … of one creature proclaimed to be
The ultimate of independence … an awakening one-legged blackbird
Now inquiring upon my consciousness … “DO I REALLY WANT TO BE FREE?”

Note: Phantasizing is a combined word using fantasy and phantom.

Listen to
“The Blackbird”
as spoken
by Papi

[player id=5586 class=”aligncenter”]

View the PDF below as it was originally presented

Poem #16 | Written June 17, 1972

The Blackbird PDF