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 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

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.

About My Poet( Biography)

MAYA ANGELOU, BIOGRAPHY

• Born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis , Missouri.
• was an author, poet, civil rights activist, & dancer.
• also was an actress & screenwriter.
• moved to San Francisco, CA .
• Won a scholarship to study dance & acting.

BIOGRAPHY

• Had a son at the age of 16, named Guy.
• Lived in Egypt, then Ghana.
• Played roles in:
• " Porgy and Bess"&
• "Calypso Heat Wave".

BIOGRAPHY
Her real name was Marguerite Annie Johnson, but she changed it to Maya Angelou after her childhood nickname and a shortened surname of Angelopulos, a Greek sailor in 1952.

BIOGRAPHY
After having health issues for several years, Maya Angelou died on May 28th, 2014, at her home in Winston-Salem, North CA.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178948
• https://www.haikudeck.com
• http://www.biography.com/people/maya-angelou-9185388

THE END