I know why the caged bird sings

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.