:56:38
Sealed off from the world,
denied the fundamental drive of man
:56:42
to beget his own kind,
:56:44
Stroud developed a world
in microcosm with his birds.
:56:49
And because it was safe, and he knew
they would never turn on him,
:56:53
he developed a deep but private
love for his canaries,
:56:56
as he watched the cycle of love
and mating and issuing forth.
:57:03
Then, one spring day,
an old friend came back.
:57:22
Runty! What the hell
are you doin' back here?
:57:28
Too tough out there, huh?
Come back for a little prison security.
:57:40
I guess you're a lifer, pal, just like me.