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.
This poes is very interesting. Its about freedom and the will to be free.if you read the poem and analized good this poem is kind of sad. because the cage bird can not be free. its a cool poem.
As i required to complete an assignment on poetry, i came across this poem. Immediately i found solace in this poem as i relate it to being caged by the materialistsic society where results are basically what that matters. Do i still have the freedom to pursue what i wish for, such as in Art? i can cry just like the caged bird, hoping for liberation. Thanks for writing this poem, it voices the opinions of many people. (:
I can only speculate on the reason(s) Ms. Angelou wrote this poem, but I think it speaks of her experiences not only as an African-American, but as a woman as well.
The opression and restrictions placed on her as an African American woamn I could not begin to imagine, I can only guess at them based on the biases and prejudices I have experienced in my own life.
I connected with this poem because I could see myself as that caged bird “..his wings are clipped and his feet are tied…” who only wants to be freed to experience the same hope and happiness that the free birds feel.
Thank you Ms. Angelou
this poem is so wonderful. It meant so much to me, because I know people who are very much like “caged birds” and even I, even I myself I also know this feeling!!!
My sister in law told me about this poem and she feels this is a poem that tells her to let her kids be free and take challenges in life and travel the world and do the best that they can. Cut the apron strings and let them fly.
I also look at it a different way and it depends on what is happening in your life at the time you read this. My son has been dating a girl for 2 years and they are beautiful together…however, I can see he wants to be uncaged and fly free to do whatever he feels. He is trying to break off the relationship and she feels she can’t go on without him. We too love this girl and she is beautiful and she will be swept off her feet by many guys…what do you do? Be caged or be free? Will he regret it later on or will he not even though he still has a love for her? He is confused.
I felt what Maya Angelou was saying in this poem. I know everyone has already put in their opinion about what she meant, I’d just like to say that I really appreciated that feeling…that understanding. It was a well-written poem and I was able to connect with it on so many levels, that feeling can never be communicated with any other words or analyses. Oh, and that Thomas guy should try to understand that feeling too. Just because someone doesn’t write correctly or use proper grammar doesn’t mean that they don’t get the beauty behind the poem. To Thomas…learn the basics first.
This poem is…well, frankly, the hamster on the wheel inside my head is too tired to think of any worthy descriptions. There’s just a feeling to it, a tone, a flavor that warms you and chills you. Everyone is caged…everyone wants to be free. Hundreds, thousands, possibly millions of men and women have lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom…it would be better to be dead, sometimes, than to live life out safely behind bars, shackled with our wings clipped. A day as a free bird, unfettered and unchained, is worth a lifetime of safety cooped up, sometimes. What do you think?
The poem itself is beautiful. It is a shame so many of the people providing comments claim to be “studying,” yet cannot spell or use grammar. Learn the basics first.
I love the poem. It isn’t for any certain people, it’s a poem that has no barrier, a parable for all that are caged, confined, trapped. It may be by obligation, situation, limitations of health– any situation that cages our desires. I know why the caged bird sings and if you think about it, you do too.
I LOVE THIS POEM I RECOMEND THIS POEM TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am currently studying Maya Angelou’s work in companrison with Alice Walker at A-Level. I found this poem so entriging and how complex an interpretation can seem so perfect. I believe the poem is about struggle and how hope still can come out of a somewhat gloomy situation. I would like to thank everyone on this site, it was brillant to read how people of different backgrounds intrepreted this poem. Be in peace x
This poem has nothing to do with discrimination, read it more on the figurative level, literaly it talks about a free bird and his rights to leap and fly everywhere, and then there is the caged bird which cries and longs that his song of freedom will be heard. You can put in that she as well speaks for a person who feels so trapped that all they can do is watch and hope to be heard! Mrs. Gawronski of Katella helped me realize to not jump to conclusions and just beacause an African American person wrote the poem does it mean its about alvery and longing to be free, but it can also be about life and viewing life! So don’t jump into conclusions.
This poem is so great and powerful for human so muz. This is because Maya shows the discrimination between White And Black people in many USA or many countries and she can show the power or the abilities of the black to fighting for freedom. No matter they are prisoned with the things or the society they still sing a song like the man who never take of a dream…. Be pound for our life whatever colour is good and noting bad at all++ love this poem and want you to read it too. thanx
i think this poem is very good how ever i need to do an assighnmant on it and i would be very thankfull for some feedback thanx … god bless
Hey there caged birds. We all are caged birds to a degree. Something holds us at one time or another and keeps us from reaching our full potential. At first glance this poem seems to be somewhat melancholy. But after taking a deeper look, you see that the only thing that could not be caged is the song the caged bird sang. So even when you feel caged or imprisoned, find the strength to sing. You will be heard. Be in Peace.
I love this poem merely because it is not just about the civil rights movement but anyone who has ever felt like a caged bird understands…your freedom to express how you feel is taken away,this poem is sooo much more powerful than just people looking at the name Maya angelou and ultimately thinking oh it must be about African americans and our struggle.Please when you read this poem i pray that you will see its meaning,many people feel like this whether it be someone who has others chose what path they are to take,gays and etc. who are afraid to express them selves and “come out of the closet” because people have always enstilled in their heads “their views and how “you” should be” but people must come to realization that it isn’t about what others think…if people will stop and realize what we do to each other and if you feel like a caged bird,then you will understand and get a deep meaning of this poem…God bless
I like this poem a lot because I can relate to it. I feel like the caged bird sometimes and I just want to be free!
Thank you for bringing out why “we” the caged birds sing.
You have been an inspiration to me and opened my eyes in so many ways. I look for your books only now that I have read two f your books.
This poem was very inspirational to me. I absolutely loved it. All of Mayas work is excellent and if you haven’t read her other poems you should, just google her and you’ll find lots of poems that can be very inspirational to you.
Well Well Well, its about time someone said that… thanks nat. Though I do disagree with you. Just because a poem may be about something bad or sad it doesnt stop the poem’s (or poets, if you know what i mean) greatness. This is a wonderfull poem and I think that Maya is a great and insperational person. what happened to her was terrible and not one person can fix it… but I think that Maya does a pretty damn good job of writting poems about that experience that everyone can truely feel.
You rock Maya Angelou… your and insperation to all thoughs who need inspiring.
Love Keith