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Maya Angelou
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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
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 his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and 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.
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Wow, what beautifully written Poetry, freedom is indeed one of those things we take for granted sometimes because we are free but what strikes me the most about this poem is how she depicts illustrates the caged birds song... (Report) Reply
It draws a very nice picture in my mind. It opens my heart and gives impact more maybe on the readers. I also get new techniques in writing poems by just reading it and most of all, it's now one of my favorites :)) (Report) Reply
Beautiful image and message of the image of freedom, joy and music. (Report) Reply
Great heart touching poem. (Report) Reply
Im trying to figure out why many people here do not like some of the comments posted by Mayas readers????? (Report) Reply
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams- Yet the bird chirps and sings of freedom, freedom that it can never attain yet hoping just the same :) (Report) Reply
by singing, it submits (Report) Reply
Hi. Your poem was comforting.
God Bless (Report) Reply
Maya, You are now a Free Bird
African Queen, Afro-American Queen,
American Queen, Black Queen,
You are now free, you have escaped,
You are now crowned, phenomenally draped,
And beautifully coiffed as a famous Poet,
Great Lecturer, Mother, Lover, Activist,
Fighter, Doctor, Nurturer, Philanthropist,
Philosopher, Engineer of rhymes, and Architect
Of simple, complicated and powerful words,
Those are as sharp as our ancestors’ swords.
You had everything that an amazing woman
Wanted to possess: pride, confidence, elegance,
Style, bravery, wit, intelligence, humility and patience.
You inspired kings, queens, intellectuals and laymen.
You were, without a doubt, a phenomenal woman,
A special woman that men and women admired.
You feared nobody: the racist, the confused, and the liar.
You feared nothing: weather, water, sand, soil and fire.
However, you loved everybody: the sick, the weak, and the tired;
The poor, the homeless, the brave, and the strong.
Maya, you are now a free bird, please sing the song.
You have opened the cage, like a bird, you are now free.
Spread your wings to shower the world with wisdom,
Love, passion, comprehension, tolerance and liberty.
Hum again and sing again the beautiful song of freedom.
African Queen, Afro-American Queen,
American Queen, Black Queen,
You have left a phenomenal legacy,
You will be remembered until eternity.
Copyright© May 28,2014 Logerie Hébert, All Rights Reserved (Report) Reply
Maya, the Singing Caged Bird Left Quietly
(Poem dedicated to Paul Laurence Dunbar & Maya Angelou)
The singing caged bird left quietly this morning.
Everyone is searching for her, everyone is crying.
It is always a shock when a special person is gone,
Death always comes like a loose bullet from a gun.
Death has an eerie way of shocking and torturing us.
The only person left who knew the beautiful song
Of the bird has departed. She is now in the arms of Jesus.
She is now part of the chorus.
She is using her tongue
To recite some unforgettable verses to other great poets,
Who have welcomed her to a joyful oasis of wonders.
Let’s celebrate the life of this phenomenal woman,
Let’s sing and pray for our beloved Maya. Amen!
Copyright© May 28,2014 Logerie Hébert, All Rights Reserved (Report) Reply
it's best poem i have read... (Report) Reply
While the world is mourning the death of the great poet Maya Angelou, as a reader having high regard and respect to the poet liked to read and enjoy the great poem with great mission of thoughts and dedicated to the poor all around the world and I experienced a second reading and felt it once more the most interested poem. (Report) Reply
Maya Angelou is no more but her poems are immortal. This poem does not need appreciation from me. Everyone knows Maya and her poems. (Report) Reply
Lighting a candle
Trying to send one tiny sparkle
of gratitude to Maya Angelou, a star
that shared its light on earth
for a little while. (Report) Reply
What a contrast between free bird and caged bird! The contrast between them is wonderfully compared in this clear poem by Maya Angelou! (Report) Reply
He singeth best, who loveth best
True freedom of the skies so blue
For God who designed our souls as such
Tuned it to sound beautiful when its free and true............. (Report) Reply
Maya, the Singing Caged Bird Left Quietly
The singing caged bird left quietly this morning.
Everyone is searching for her, everyone is crying.
It is always a shock when a special person is gone,
Death always comes like a loose bullet from a gun.
Death has an eerie way of shocking and torturing us.
The only person left who knew the beautiful song
Of the bird has departed. She is now in the arms of Jesus.
She is now part of the chorus.
She is using her tongue
To recite some unforgettable verses to other great poets,
Who have welcomed her to a joyful oasis of wonders.
Let’s celebrate the life of this phenomenal woman,
Let’s sing and pray for our beloved Maya. Amen!
Copyright© May 28,2014 Logerie Hébert, All Rights Reserved (Report) Reply
Just lovely, Hebert, such a fitting tribute to such a remarkable lady. I have sett her poem, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings to music, just today. It brings me joy to sing her words. So far it is just me and my guitar. Tomorrow I begin on a choral arrangement!
Excellent poem! Experience is the best teacher. (Report) Reply
She propagated abortion: 1,400 black babies daily.
She supported Winnie Mandela: convicted murderer.
She embraced de-population via serums.
Maya Angelou = death
Freedom the birth right of man and when it is denied it is rights violation. The poet takes the subject in its full meaning and made it into world liked poem. (Report) Reply
oh what a write of freedom being captive yet craving to curve shape of own god awaking to ensamble, (Report) Reply