Writers-Network.com Read Classic Poems and Write Online!
Bookmark and Share
Read Classic Poems & Quotes   |   Sponsored Writing
writing community classic poems navigation
read          write          review          classics          spotlight          forum          store
poetry writing community classic poems online

Classic Poetry and Famous Poets

You're Here: Classics Home » Maya-angelou » I know why the caged bird sings
RSS NEW POEMS Latest Classic Poetry & Poets

I know why the caged bird sings

Poem By: Maya Angelou   |   Views: 2674   |   Word Count: 166   |   View PDF   |   Print View

  


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.
 

If you enjoyed this famous poem, rate it! Currently Rated: 4.77

 
About the Author Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928. She grew up in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. She is an author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer, and civil rights activist... Read Maya Angelou's Full Biography  
 
 
More Poems By Maya Angelou
5: Men

 + View All Maya Angelou Poems 
 
 


Classic Poetry, Famous poets
Allen GinsbergAmy LowellBliss CarmanDylan ThomasE. E. CummingsEdgar Allen PoeEmily BronteEmily DickinsonHermann HesseJack PrelutskyJane AustenJoseph BrodskyLangston HughesMaya AngelouOscar WildePablo NerudaPaul EluardRobert FrostRobert HaydenSalvatore QuasimodoShel SilversteinSylvia PlathTheodore RoethkeThomas HardyWilliam ShakespeareWilliam Wordsworth
 
article sand box - free website content


Publish your book with CreateSpace: Get high royalties, low book prices, and expanded distribution.


16 people browsing

Famous poetry by classical poets
 
 
 
Home   |   About Us   |   PRO Writers   |   Free Poetry Site   |   Poems By Genre    |    Classic Poems   |    Writing Prompts   |    Contests   |    Forums   |    Store   |    Help

©  Writers-Network.com - All Rights Reserved - Classic Poems and Quotes By Famous Writers
Terms of Service   |    Privacy Policy   |    Writing Community   |   Banners