I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

The first time I ever heard of Maya Angelou was several years ago on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. I became very emotional listening to her recite poetry and stories from her childhood, and it wasn’t long before I purchased I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, her autobiography with a title taken from one of her most-beloved poems.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of seeing this icon speak at a local college. She had aged quite a bit and become physically feeble, but her voice and her inspirational words were as strong as ever.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou

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.