I think this writer see's a friend/lover with great potential and wants them to know how much they are capable of even though the friend doesn't see it because they've lived a pretty shelterd life so far and hasn't tried to expand/try new things. Also, I think the writer wants his friend to expand but at the same time he wants his friend to stay because it is someone who they love and need, "maybe these hands that feed you need you, Maybe you understand that, city bird." And maybe the reason the "city bird" has stuck around so long is because they know that they are needed where they are.
I think this writer see's a friend/lover with great potential and wants them to know how much they are capable of even though the friend doesn't see it because they've lived a pretty shelterd life so far and hasn't tried to expand/try new things. Also, I think the writer wants his friend to expand but at the same time he wants his friend to stay because it is someone who they love and need, "maybe these hands that feed you need you, Maybe you understand that, city bird." And maybe the reason the "city bird" has stuck around so long is because they know that they are needed where they are.