The free bird leaps <br />on the back of the wind <br />and floats downstream <br />till the current ends <br />and dips his wings <br />in the orange sun rays <br />and dares to claim the sky. <br /> <br />But a bird that stalks <br />down his narrow cage <br />can seldom see through <br />his bars of rage <br />his wings are clipped and <br />his feet are tied <br />so he opens his throat to sing. <br /> <br />The caged bird sings <br />with fearful trill <br />of the things unknown <br />but longed for still <br />and his tune is heard <br />on the distant hill <br />for the caged bird <br />sings of freedom <br /> <br />The free bird thinks of another breeze <br />and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees <br />and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn <br />and he names the sky his own. <br /> <br />But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams <br />his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream <br />his wings are clipped and his feet are tied <br />so he opens his throat to sing <br /> <br />The caged bird sings <br />with a fearful trill <br />of things unknown <br />but longed for still <br />and his tune is heard <br />on the distant hill <br />for the caged bird <br />sings of freedom.<br /><br />Maya Angelou<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings/
