Caged Bird by Maya Angelou : The Poetry Foundation
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http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178948
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Caged Bird
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 sun 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.
7/20/2011 8:46 AM
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou : The Poetry Foundation
2 of 3
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178948
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.
Maya Angelou, “Caged Bird” from Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? Copyright © 1983 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of
Random House, Inc.
Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Random House Inc., 1994)
ABOUT THIS POEM
Discover this poem’s context and related poetry, articles, and media.
POET
Maya Angelou b. 1928
SUBJECTS
Social Commentaries, Pets, Relationships, Nature, Animals
POETI C TERMS
Metaphor
BIOGRAPHY
An acclaimed American poet and autobiographer, Maya Angelou
was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou has
had a varied career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and
Hollywood's first female black director, but is most famous as a
writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet. As a civil rights
activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcom X.
She has also been an educator and is currently . . .
POEMS BY MAYA ANGELOU
A Plagued Journey
Awaking in New York
California Prodigal
Kin
from On the Pulse of Morning
Phenomenal Woman
Still I Rise
7/20/2011 8:46 AM
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou : The Poetry Foundation
3 of 3
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178948
The Mothering Blackness
POEM CATEGORIZATION
SUBJECT
Social Commentaries, Pets, Relationships, Nature, Animals
POETI C TERMS
Metaphor
If you disagree with this poem's categorization, make a suggestion.
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7/20/2011 8:46 AM