I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou

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 hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
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.


I am the caged bird, but I do know what is outside my cage. I once flew amidst free birds. I could go anywhere and do anything. I was truly, truly free. But now my wings are clipped and I can only watch the free birds soar amongst the clouds, knowing that they are going where I cannot go alone and doing what I cannot do alone. I do not sing of freedom. I scream of rage, of sadness, of loss. I want to be free! I am tired of being left behind. For three years I have been left alone, trapped in this damned cage. I may stand on a grave of all my dreams, but I am not yet dead. Do not treat me as if I am.