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.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Maya Angelou's poem I know why the caged bird sings

151 Comments

  1. Ben says:

    I love this poem. It really shows the struggle we face in our lives. We are trapped in our lives, yet we long to be free from what binds us.

  2. Caitlin Long says:

    I love this poem. It relates well with my life

  3. Richard Golden says:

    i really liek the poems there al super fun to read and it kinda made since to me i havent been able to read poems intell this year if i had to go back and read the poem again i would.

  4. btadley says:

    THis poem shows how modern society is held back in many ways especially through technology

  5. Mallory says:

    I totally agree with this poem. People get to comfortable and then stay in the same habit. They need to try new things.

  6. Jarrod says:

    I liked the poem because it could be related to someone feels about life.

  7. Blake Reed says:

    I think that this poem is very interesting. I know that there is lots of this going on in the world today. Over all i liked the poem.

  8. ryan says:

    i agree with the caged bird sings. it is good to adventure out in society and learn new things. in are world today with all the new technology. you cant keep stuck in the out way of life.

  9. carlos says:

    This was a great poem it changed my life and i in freedom now and not in being caged believe.

  10. Keegan Bintz says:

    This is a great poem and has lots of meaning to it.

  11. Hailey says:

    I thought that this was a great poem. They had a good meaning to it and I could actually understand what this one meant, unlike a lot of other poems that are out there.

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