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Maya Angelou's poem, from her 1969 book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, seems both a fitting and hopeful message today. As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., just days after obvious racism from the President of the United States, I couldn't help but think of Maya's poem. As the #MeToo social media trend evolves into the #TimesUp Movement, I couldn't help but think of Maya's poem. And as the one year anniversary of the Women's March draws near, I can't help but think of Maya's poem. It is reality for too many. It is hope that keeps us striving toward a more perfect nation. It is hope that keeps us striving toward respect for all living beings. Sometimes hope is all we have, and we must hold on to it. Maya Angelou explains it best:
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.
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.
Learn more about Maya Angelou
Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides.
See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon
©2018 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.
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