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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou   
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

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9.2 /10
(543 votes)



  The free bird leaps
on the back of the win
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hillfor the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Maya Angelou


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Read poems about / on: freedom, sky, sun, wind, dream, tree

 
  Comments about this poem (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou )
Click here to write your comments about this poem (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou )
 
  David Kostanty  (10/30/2009 12:51:00 PM)

I think it is time for 'Doctor' Angelou to mature spiritually and accept responsibility for creating her own reality.
  Howard 'the motivational poet' Simon  (10/17/2009 12:26:00 PM)

From every bird cage and every prison cell the desire of freedom reside. Excellently expressed
  Mark Buford  (10/12/2009 11:06:00 PM)

To Don Maker: I think MA is saying she knows why the caged bird sings, as well. Your comments are cynical in my opinion and narrow.
  Louie Levy - Love & Peace  (10/5/2009 1:26:00 PM)

Dear Maya, We have kindred kind spirits for Birds, My having never forgotten my mother hand feeding her feathered friends from a small 4th story window-sill. I have some small, medium and large back yard bird feeders. No Caste conflict be tolerated. I even have a Squirrel enclosed feeder where there is no need to steel from their bird friends. Love Doves prove their Love, they share with all whom are smaller, without greed. Your poem for them is exquisite. I feel though, that maybe they sing of freedom or for their birth right for it.? Did you know that there are some minor typos to be edited, I am a nit picker so please know that it's possible through the Manage Comments tool bar. I've made this poem one of my favorites. Ratings are impossible to judge anything from heart and not a 1-10 fickle head.
Thanx, ...louie
  Masike Malatji  (7/20/2009 5:49:00 AM)

What an inspiring piece of writing. The caged bird sings remind me of the struggle against apartheid in South africa. The caged bird is similar to the lawfully oppressed people who found their voice through music and dance. It is through this music and dance that apartheid was dismantled. The free bird leaps on the back of the win and floats downstream till the current ends and dips...
  Adam Geiger  (6/21/2009 1:12:00 AM)

Inspired me to write my poem (I think I know why the caged bird sings)
Its called
'SOME THINGS'

As the sun sets and the tides change
You realize some things you can’t rearrange
Try as you wish, and wish as you try
Keep in mind the birds will still fly

So don’t waste your time on something that is not
Because your hopes and dreams will surely rot
Lay it to rest, start over new
There is one thing I know, the sky is still blue

Give it your best and try your all
Remember though, the leaves will still fall
Fate is harsh, and often tough
Take my word, life’s full of this stuff

The wind will still blow and those sky’s will still snow
But I believe there is one thing you should eternally know
As the sun sets and the tides change
There are some things you just can’t rearrange
  Wm Ryle  (5/27/2009 3:36:00 PM)

Oh yes, Maya Angelou does know why the caged bird sings.
The free bird flies to the sky, while the caged bird is left to wonder why...
it is left to the confinement and constraint of its own desire to sing on the wing.

It is left to wonder why fortune and fate left it so limited in its experience of life; while the free bird, on the wing, flies wide and high, experiencing so many things the caged bird is kept from.

The analogy is clear. Some of us, some of mankind, are born to freedom and plenty, while some of us, some of mankind, scarcely garner any of the pleasures taken as given and for granted by those of us who are free. This should not be.

Should we be among those free to fly, we also then should be ever conscious of and conscientious towards those confined to cages in life (and their structures are many) .

And while some of those 'cages' are self-inflicted, compassion and empathy are among the traits of Christ.. who we should strive to be more like.
  sky dreams  (4/20/2009 5:42:00 PM)

This poem is incredible.. absolutely amazing 10++
  Vivek Kartha  (3/20/2009 8:12:00 AM)

As usual Maya has made a master piece...but please do correct a few spellin errors that are there in it!

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11/21/2009 1:41:08 AM. #.34# You Are Here: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

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