The Caged Bird Cont.

I saw a poetry contest with the topic as caged bird. Being that I love Maya Angelou and I know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I've taken a crack at extending the poem. I wanted to write a little something about the caged bird that was inside of me. After all, I feel I am the bird that stalks down my narrow cage. One of my dreams was to meet Maya Angelou and tell her, "I too know why the caged bird sings..."

I know why the caged bird sings

By: Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps 

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream 

'til the current ends

and dips his wings

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 cage 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...

The Caged Bird Cont.

The free bird soars through another day

not remembering or caring for yesterday,

landing and resting wherever he please.

He flies free through the forest trees.

But the caged bird lives for yesterday

scared of what the future holds and will take away.

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings a fearful song

of the things unknown and things gone wrong

his tune is heard long after he's gone

for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird glides across the earth

enjoying and marveling at each new turf.

His heart rejoices with each new song,

he glides through the air; no turn is wrong.

But the caged bird has only one song to sing,

one of fear, terror, heartache and the other pains humanity brings.

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings a fearful song

of the things unknown and things gone wrong.

His tune is heard, even after it's gone

for the caged bird cries of freedom.