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May 9th, 2008 - we have 237 poets, 8036 poems and 17369 comments.
Maya Angelou - I know why the caged bird sings

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns 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.

Added: on April 19th, 2008 at 6:34 AM | Viewed: 171079 times | Comments and analysis of I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou Comments (121)


I know why the caged bird sings - Comments and Information

Poet: Maya Angelou
Poem: I know why the caged bird sings
Poem of the Day: May 8 2007

Comment 121 of 121, added on May 7th, 2008 at 1:11 AM.

This poem basically says that the free bird takes his freedom for granted, but if it was caged, it would aprreciate being free alot more.


Jimmy from United States
Comment 120 of 121, added on April 20th, 2008 at 9:25 AM.

Doing an essay on this poem. I'm very knowledgable about the poem but verse 4 is very hard. Can someone analyse it for me or at least tell me what trade winds is?

Aimee from United Kingdom
Comment 119 of 121, added on April 19th, 2008 at 6:34 AM.

I have read this poem many times and never thought it had anything to do with race. I read the book also. I think its about being inhibited in one way or another. Here the author is trying to explain process of drowning. There is no need to tell how or why the person got into the water or what he need to do to get. What she does offer is two people in the water. One can swim and one cant. She doesn't offer a solution for the cage bird, just the status of his being. Its the plight of the cage bird that important here. Its any body story.In the end its not about the cause or solution its about being. They won't put it on her TOMB so i wil say it here....MAYA ANGELOU is greatest poet of our tim. Her ability to convey both thoughts and emotions through words i think is unequal. Just my opinion.

Grant from United States

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