The Prompt: Cliché—Clichés become clichés for a reason. Tell us about the last time a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush for you.

Free the Birds

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” a psychic said to me.
Then my psychiatrist said the same, but for a bigger fee.
When people preach to me like this, I get set in my ways.
I’m never going to take advice from folks who spout clichés!
The birds that I’ve had in my hand number very few.
I can’t recall a single time I combed a bush for two.
And so although I know in fact a proverb is not literal,
and that allusions to three birds are very likely clitoral,
still I’m loathe to think in adages as others do.
I have no wish to take a walk in any other’s shoe.
I’ve never thought the grass was greener in my neighbor’s yard.
And spouting other people’s words does not make you a bard.
I don’t think cleverness with words need make us any wiser.
If my neighbor’s lawn is greener, I’ll just use more fertilizer.
So please don’t give me your advice using hackneyed phrases.
For all this glib advice just sorta puts me into dazes.
And if you simply must advise, my character to hone,
Please do me a big favor and just use words of your own!!!