"If We Were Birds" by Erin Shields is a powerful and contemporary play that reimagines the myth of Philomela from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The play delves into themes of violence, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit, intertwining the ancient myth with a modern narrative of a mother and daughter caught in the horrors of war. Through a blend of poetic language and stark realism, Shields creates a thought-provoking exploration of the enduring impact of violence on women's lives and the ways in which stories can serve as a means of empowerment and reclamation.