The Caged Bird

 

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.