Maya Angelou's Caged Bird

a free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

then 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 fearfull trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

in a distant hill

for the caged bird 

sings for freedom

the free bird thinks 

of another breeze

the tradewinds soft 

through the dying 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 a distant hill

for the caged bird sings of freedom

I first memorized this poem in ninth grade, but I haven't recited it since. I did my best to type it up from memory. I found it to be intriguing and inspirational, and it carries a great rhythm. Maya Angelou is one of my favorite poets so, just in case someone has never read this amazing poem... well, there's no reason to say you haven't anymore!