A free bird leaps
on the wind\'s back,
floating downstream where
the current fades into silence,
its wing dipped in orange sun
and claims the sky.
But one that stalks
its narrow, shadowed cage,
seldom sees beyond
bars of rage;
with wings clipped,
feet bound,
its throat opens to sing.
The caged bird sings
a fearful trill of unknowns
a longing melody,
reaching distant hills,
singing out
freedom.
The free bird dreams of breeze,
trade winds, sighing trees,
fat worms on a dawn bright lawn—
names the sky.
A caged bird stands,
a grave of stifled dreams,
shadow screaming in nightmares,
wings clipped, feet tied,
its throat opens to song.
The caged bird sings
a fearful trill,
of the unknown
longed for still.
Its tune travels
to the distant hill,
for the caged bird sings
of freedom.