Sunday 3 June 2012

The Sunday Posts 2012.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till 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 fearful trill
of the 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.

Poem: Maya Angelou
Photo; The yett at Greenknowe Tower, by Alistair.

Source:
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

8 comments:

Indigo Roth said...

Hey Alistair! More beauty for yet another wet Sunday; thank you. Good grief, that's not rain; it's the sea cut into slices. Hmmm. Indigo

Alistair said...

Hay Buddy - Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to hear about the rain. It's been lovely and sunny up here all day. Good excuse to stay in and relax and maybe order in pizza of you're feeling lazy.

Twisted Scottish Bastard said...

The bird flies
The shotgun bellows
The birdshot flies
The target settles

Birds are just fast moving targets.

Alistair said...

Why TSB -

you're a poet,
And we didn't know it.

Pointy birds fly,
pointy pointy.
Overhead,
anointy nointy.

cheers!

Indigo Roth said...

"good excuse", "lazy day", "pizza".

Got it. Thanks.

Rebecca S. said...

Good poem - poignant! I haven't read that one in years.

DB Stewart said...

Have your read the novel?

Alistair said...

No 'fraid not. I tried many many years ago and failed. I guess I didn't have a point of reference at the time.

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